Swear

To make a solemn declaration or promise, often invoking a higher power or sacred object as a witness, To use offensive language, curse, or use profanity, To affirm or assert emphatically or with great emphasis

Swear - Meanings

To make a solemn declaration or promise, often invoking a higher power or sacred object as a witness

Example: He swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in court.

Usage: formalContext: legal proceedings, oaths, promises

Note: This usage is typically associated with formal settings and legal contexts.

To use offensive language, curse, or use profanity

Example: He swore loudly when he stubbed his toe.

Usage: informalContext: expressing anger, frustration, or emphasis

Note: This meaning is common in informal conversations but may be considered impolite or offensive in certain situations.

To affirm or assert emphatically or with great emphasis

Example: I swear, I saw a UFO last night!

Usage: informalContext: expressing strong conviction or certainty

Note: Used to emphasize the truth or sincerity of a statement, often in casual settings.

Swear's synonyms

curse

To curse is to use offensive or profane language to express strong emotions or to wish harm upon someone or something.

Example: He cursed loudly when he stubbed his toe.

Note: While 'swear' can also mean to use offensive language, 'curse' specifically refers to the use of profanity or wishing harm.

vow

To vow is to make a solemn promise or pledge, often invoking a higher power or one's honor as a guarantee.

Example: She vowed to always tell the truth.

Note: Unlike 'swear,' 'vow' typically involves making a promise or commitment, often in a formal or serious manner.

pledge

To pledge is to promise or commit to a particular course of action or belief, often publicly or formally.

Example: They pledged to support each other through thick and thin.

Note: Similar to 'vow,' 'pledge' involves making a promise, but it can also refer to committing to support or endorse something.

promise

To promise is to give one's word that one will do something or that something will happen.

Example: He promised to help her with her project.

Note: While 'swear' can involve a promise, 'promise' typically focuses on a commitment to do something specific.

Swear expressions, common phrases

Swear by

To promise or vow with great sincerity, often invoking something or someone sacred as a guarantee.

Example: I swear by all that is holy, I will never betray you.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the seriousness and solemnity of one's oath or promise.

Swear off

To make a firm decision to stop doing or using something, often due to a negative experience or realization.

Example: After that terrible experience, he swore off alcohol for good.

Note: This phrase implies a conscious choice to abstain from something, usually for a specific reason.

Swear in

To officially induct or install someone into a position through a formal ceremony, often involving taking an oath.

Example: The new president will be sworn in next week.

Note: This phrase specifically refers to the formal process of administering an oath, especially for public officials.

Swear by someone

To promise something with the guarantee of someone's reputation or honor at stake.

Example: I swear by my grandmother that I will keep this secret.

Note: This phrase involves using another person's credibility as a testament to the truthfulness of one's statement.

Swear at

To use offensive language or curse words towards someone in a fit of anger or frustration.

Example: He was so angry that he started swearing at the rude driver.

Note: This phrase involves directing explicit language or insults towards another person in a heated moment.

Swear like a sailor

To curse or use profane language excessively or aggressively.

Example: Watch your language around Grandma; she doesn't appreciate swearing like a sailor.

Note: This phrase emphasizes the use of coarse language similar to that commonly associated with sailors or rough language.

Swear by something

To make an oath or promise with the belief in the power or efficacy of a particular object or item.

Example: I swear by my lucky charm that this will bring us good luck.

Note: This phrase involves invoking the influence or luck associated with a specific object or symbol.

Swear everyday (slang) expressions

Cuss

To use profane language or swear words.

Example: Please don't cuss in front of the kids.

Note: Cuss is often used in a more informal context and can be considered less offensive than swear.

Swear word

A profanity or vulgarity used for emphasis or to express strong emotions.

Example: She was upset by his use of swear words in the argument.

Note: Swear word specifically refers to offensive language used to swear.

Profanity

Obscene, vulgar language, or behavior.

Example: His profanity during the meeting shocked everyone.

Note: Profanity is a broader term that encompasses swear words and offensive language.

Blasphemy

Irreverent or disrespectful language or actions toward something sacred or divine.

Example: His words were considered blasphemy in the religious community.

Note: Blasphemy involves disrespect toward sacred beliefs, whereas swearing may involve vulgar language without being related to religious beliefs.

Curse words

Vulgar or offensive words used to express strong emotions or to insult.

Example: She washed his mouth out with soap for using curse words at the dinner table.

Note: Curse words specifically refer to offensive language used to swear.

Malediction

A curse or expression of hatred or ill-will.

Example: She whispered a malediction under her breath when she stubbed her toe.

Note: Malediction is often used in a literary or poetic context to convey a curse, while swear can be more colloquial.

Swear - Examples

She didn't swear in front of her parents.

He swore that he would never do it again.

The angry driver was swearing at everyone on the road.

Swear grammar

Swear - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)

Lemma: swear

Conjugations

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): swore

Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle): sworn

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): swearing

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): swears

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): swear

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): swear

Syllabification and Stress

swear Contains 1 syllables: swear

Phonetic transcription: ˈswer

swear , ˈswer (The red syllable is stressed)

Swear - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

swear: ~ 1100 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

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