Definition

1. Noun:
   • A guarantee that an obligation will be met: A formal promise or assurance, often involving financial responsibility, that someone will fulfill a duty (e.g., paying a debt, appearing in court).
   • One who provides a warrant or guarantee to another: A person who accepts legal liability for another's debt or performance.
   • Property that your creditor can claim in case you default on your obligation: An asset pledged as collateral to secure a loan or obligation.
   • Something clearly established: (Archaic) The state of being certain or sure.

Usage and Examples

• As a guarantee:
  • The bank required a surety from a third party before approving the loan.
  • He provided a personal surety for the contractor's performance bond.
• As a person (guarantor):
  • She acted as a surety for her brother's bail.
  • The surety is liable if the defendant fails to appear in court.
• As pledged property (collateral):
  • They used their house as surety for the business loan.
• (Archaic) As certainty:
  • I can say with surety that the event will proceed as planned.

Advanced Usage

• "To stand surety for someone": To act as a formal guarantor for another person's obligations.
  • The CEO agreed to stand surety for the company's new line of credit.
• "Surety bond": A specific three-party contract where the surety guarantees an obligor's performance to an obligee.
  • Construction companies often need to obtain a surety bond for public projects.

Variants and Related Words

• Sure (adj): Confident, certain, or reliable.
• Surely (adv): Undoubtedly, certainly, or without doubt.
• Ensure (verb): To make certain that something will occur.
• Assure (verb): To tell someone positively to dispel doubts.
• Insurance (noun): A practice of providing financial protection against loss.

Synonyms

• Guarantee: A formal promise or assurance.
• Guarantor: A person who gives a guarantee.
• Security: Something pledged as collateral.
• Bail: The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, often secured by a surety.
• Warranty: A written guarantee for a product.

Related Phrases and Terms

• Principal and surety: The primary debtor (principal) and the person guaranteeing the debt (surety).
• Forfeit a surety: To lose pledged money or property due to non-performance.
• Surety company: A specialized company that issues surety bonds.

Idioms and Fixed Expressions

• "Of a surety": (Archaic) Certainly; without a doubt.
  • Of a surety, this is the best course of action.

Noun

1. a guarantee that an obligation will be met
2. one who provides a warrant or guarantee to another
3. a prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified terms
4. property that your creditor can claim in case you default on your obligation
   • bankers are reluctant to lend without good security
5. something clearly established