swear
/sweə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To make a solemn declaration or promise, often invoking a deity or something sacred as a witness: To state something is true or to promise to do something, with the force of an oath.
- To use offensive, profane, or obscene language: To curse or utter vulgar words, often in anger or frustration.
- To state or affirm something very earnestly or emphatically: To declare something forcefully as true.
Usage and Examples
Verb (To make a solemn oath):
- I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
- She swore allegiance to the flag.
- He swore he would never be late again.
Verb (To use profane language):
- He swore loudly when he hit his thumb with the hammer.
- The angry driver swore at the cyclist.
- Please don't swear in front of the children.
Verb (To affirm emphatically):
- I could have sworn I left my keys on the table.
- She swears by the effectiveness of this old remedy.
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "Swear by (someone/something)": To have great confidence in or trust something.
- My grandmother swears by honey and lemon for a sore throat.
- "Swear in": To administer an oath of office to someone.
- The Chief Justice will swear in the new president.
- "Swear off (something)": To make a promise to oneself to stop doing or using something.
- After the illness, he swore off alcohol and cigarettes.
Variants and Related Words
- Sworn (adjective): Bound by or as if by an oath.
- A sworn statement; sworn enemies.
- Swear word (noun): A profane or obscene word.
- The movie was full of swear words.
Synonyms
- Vow, pledge, promise (for the oath-related meaning).
- Curse, blaspheme, cuss (for the profanity-related meaning).
- Assert, declare, attest (for the affirmation-related meaning).
Phrasal Verbs
- Swear by: To have great confidence in something.
- I swear by this brand of boots for hiking.
- Swear in: To induct into office by administration of an oath.
- The mayor was sworn in yesterday.
- Swear off: To promise to give up something.
- She swore off junk food for the new year.
- Swear to: To affirm something strongly.
- I can't swear to the exact time, but it was around midnight.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- "Swear on a stack of Bibles": To swear very earnestly.
- He swore on a stack of Bibles that he was innocent.
- "Swear like a sailor/trooper": To curse frequently and fluently.
- He's a nice guy, but he swears like a sailor when he's angry.
- "Swear blind": To insist something is true despite evidence to the contrary.
- He swore blind he had returned the book, but it was on his shelf.
Verb
- have confidence or faith in
- We can trust in God
- Rely on your friends
- bank on your good education
- I swear by my grandmother's recipes
- make a deposition; declare under oath
- promise solemnly; take an oath
- to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
- Before God I swear I am innocent
- utter obscenities or profanities
- The drunken men were cursing loudly in the street