SWEAR (swore, sworn)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: swore    , sworn   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does swear mean? 

• SWEAR (verb)
  The verb SWEAR has 5 senses:

1. utter obscenities or profanities

2. to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true

3. promise solemnly; take an oath

4. make a deposition; declare under oath

5. have faith or confidence in

  Familiarity information: SWEAR used as a verb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SWEAR (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they swear    ... he / she / it swears   
Past simple: swore   
Past participle: sworn   
-ing form: swearing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Utter obscenities or profanities

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

blaspheme; curse; cuss; imprecate; swear

Context example:

The drunken men were cursing loudly in the street

Hypernyms (to "swear" is one way to...):

express; give tongue to; utter; verbalise; verbalize (articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise)

Verb group:

blaspheme (speak of in an irreverent or impious manner)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

swearer (someone who uses profanity)

swearing (profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger)

Sense 2

Meaning:

To declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

affirm; assert; aver; avow; swan; swear; verify

Context example:

Before God I swear I am innocent

Hypernyms (to "swear" is one way to...):

declare (state emphatically and authoritatively)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "swear"):

hold (assert or affirm)

claim; take (lay claim to; as of an idea)

attest (authenticate, affirm to be true, genuine, or correct, as in an official capacity)

declare (state firmly)

protest (affirm or avow formally or solemnly)

assure; tell (inform positively and with certainty and confidence)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Sentence example:

They swear that there was a traffic accident

Derivation:

swearer (someone who takes a solemn oath)

swearing (a commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law); to lie under oath is to become subject to prosecution for perjury)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Promise solemnly; take an oath

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "swear" is one way to...):

vow (make a vow; promise)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something to somebody
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE

Sentence example:

They swear to move

Also:

swear off (promise to abstain from)

Derivation:

swearer (someone who takes a solemn oath)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Make a deposition; declare under oath

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

depone; depose; swear

Hypernyms (to "swear" is one way to...):

declare (state emphatically and authoritatively)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

swearing (a commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law); to lie under oath is to become subject to prosecution for perjury)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Have faith or confidence in

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

bank; bet; calculate; count; depend; look; reckon; rely; swear

Context example:

Depend on your family in times of crisis

Hypernyms (to "swear" is one way to...):

trust (have confidence or faith in)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

 Context examples 

Why, I could have sworn to it.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

We are both prepared to swear that no one could have entered the room during the night.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And even your smoking and your swearing—they are part of you and I will love you for them, too.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"I swear the same, my dear Madam Mina!" said Van Helsing.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Wolf Larsen ceased swearing as suddenly as he had begun.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I’ll swear it on a Bible.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Besides, their cough is very bad—the dry cough that makes strong men swear and weak men cry.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

If I do, swear to me, Walton, that he shall not escape, that you will seek him and satisfy my vengeance in his death.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

But the blind man swore at them again for their delay.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“I would be right glad to study under such a master,” said Alleyne; “but I am sworn to follow my lord whilst this war lasts.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)