vow

Pronunciation: /vaʊ/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a solemn pledge (to oneself or to another or to a deity) to do something or to behave in a certain manner
  2. verb make a vow; promise
  3. verb dedicate to a deity by a vow

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English vowe, voue, that from Old French vut, in turn from Latin vōtum (“a promise, dedication, vow”), from vovēre (“to promise, vow”). Not related to avow. Doublet of vote.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
assurance

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