Definition

1. Noun:

   • A solemn promise or pledge: A vow is a serious, formal, and often sacred promise made to oneself, another person, or a deity. It implies a deep commitment to a specific course of action or behavior.

2. Verb:

   • To make a solemn promise: To declare or swear earnestly that one will do something or behave in a certain way.
   • To dedicate or consecrate by a promise: To pledge something, such as an object or oneself, to a deity or a sacred purpose through a vow.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • They exchanged marriage vows in a beautiful ceremony.
  • She made a vow to always tell the truth.
  • The monks took vows of silence and poverty.

• Verb:

  • He vowed to protect his family at all costs.
  • She vowed never to return to that place.
  • They vowed the land to the service of the church.

Advanced Usage

• "To take a vow": To formally make a solemn promise, often in a religious or ceremonial context.

  • He took a vow of celibacy when he entered the priesthood.

• "To be under a vow": To be bound by a promise one has made.

  • She was under a vow to complete the pilgrimage.

• "To keep/break a vow": To fulfill or to fail to fulfill a solemn promise.

  • He kept his vow to quit smoking for ten years.
  • Breaking a sacred vow is considered a serious matter.

Variants and Related Words

• Avow (verb): To assert or confess openly.

  • He avowed his commitment to the cause.

• Votive (adjective): Offered or dedicated in fulfillment of a vow.

  • They left votive candles at the shrine.

Synonyms

• Pledge: A solemn promise or undertaking.
• Oath: A solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness.
• Swear: To make a solemn declaration or promise.
• Promise: A declaration that one will do something.

Related Phrases

• "Vow of silence": A promise not to speak, often for a religious or meditative purpose.

  • The nun was on a vow of silence for a week.

• "Wedding vows": The promises a couple makes to each other during a marriage ceremony.

  • They wrote their own wedding vows.

Related Idioms

• "Vow and declare": To state something emphatically and solemnly.
  • I vow and declare that I had nothing to do with it!

Noun

1. a solemn pledge (to oneself or to another or to a deity) to do something or to behave in a certain manner
   • they took vows of poverty

Verb

1. dedicate to a deity by a vow
2. make a vow; promise
   • He vowed never to drink alcohol again