swearverb
uk/sweər/us/swer/swore, swornswear verb (USE RUDE WORDS)
B2 [ I ] to use words that are rude or offensive as a way of emphasizing what you mean or as a way of insulting someone or something:
It was a real shock, the first time I heard my mother swear.
When the cab driver started to swear at him, he walked away.
More examples
- Please don't swear in front of the children.
- I swear quite a lot but even I draw the line at saying certain words.
- He was so angry he forgot himself and swore loudly.
- We could hear him cursing and swearing as he tried to get the door open.
- He was sent off for swearing at the referee.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Swearing and blasphemy
- bad language
- blasphemous
- blasphemy
- cuss
- damn
- dirty word
- eff
- expletive
- four-letter word
- imprecation
- oath
- profanity
- strong language
- swear like a trooper idiom
- swear word
- swearing
- the F-word
- trooper
- wash
- wash your mouth out (with soap/soapy water) idiom
See more results »
swear verb (PROMISE)
B2 [ I or T ] to promise or say firmly that you are telling the truth or that you will do something or behave in a particular way:
I don't know anything about what happened, I swear (it).
[ + (that) ] You might find it difficult to believe, but I swear (that) the guy just came up to me and gave me the money.
UK informal She swore blind (= promised definitely) (that) she didn't know what had happened to the money.
[ + to infinitive ] New gang members must swear to obey the gang leaders at all times.
In some countries, witnesses in court have to swear on the Bible.
I swore an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
A few of us knew what was going to happen, but we were sworn to secrecy (= we were made to promise to keep it a secret).
I think his birthday is on the 5th, but I wouldn't/couldn't swear to it (= I am not completely certain about it).
More examples
- He swore he would avenge his brother's death.
- He swore he'd pay her back for all she'd done to him.
- Soldiers must swear allegiance to the Crown.
- I swear to God I didn't know about it.
- I want you to swear that you will never try to see her again.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Making & breaking promises & commitments
- betray
- broken
- commit
- cross my heart (and hope to die) idiom
- deliver
- fink
- fink out
- go back on sth
- guarantee
- New Year's resolution
- promise sb the earth/moon idiom
- promises, promises! idiom
- redeem
- resolution
- scout
- sworn
- vouch
- warrant
- warranty
- welsh
See more results »
Phrasal verb(s)
swear by sth
swear sb in
swear off sth