What does "swear" mean?
A swear word.
Swear
/swɛə(ɹ)/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A swear word.
- Grammar: swear is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: blaspheme, curse, cuss, imprecate.
- Useful contrasts: abstain, breach, break.
- Usage evidence: They won't believe me even if I swear it is true.
How to use "swear"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "swear" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "swear" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "swear" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "swear" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "swear" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "blaspheme" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "swear", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A swear word.
"You might think it funny to hear this Kanaka girl come out with a big swear. No such thing. There was no swearing in her — no, nor anger; she was beyond anger, and meant the word simple and serious."
- 2 A lazy time; a short rest during working hours (especially field labour); a siesta. Northern-England, Scotland
Verb
- 1 To take an oath, to promise intensely, solemnly, and/or with legally binding effect. ambitransitive
"The knight swore not to return to the palace until he had found the treasure."
- 2 To be lazy; rest for a short while during working hours. Northern-England, Scotland
- 3 have faith or confidence in wordnet
- 4 To take an oath that an assertion is true. transitive
"The witness swore that the person she had seen running out of the bank was a foot shorter than the accused."
- 5 utter obscenities or profanities wordnet
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 To promise intensely that something is true; to strongly assert. transitive
"I swear I don't know what you're talking about."
- 7 promise solemnly; take an oath wordnet
- 8 To administer an oath to (a person). transitive
"Let the witness be sworn."
- 9 to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true wordnet
- 10 To use offensive, profane, or obscene language. ambitransitive
"An Australian was once appointed on contract, but he swore too much."
- 11 make a deposition; declare under oath wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Heavy. Northern-England, Scotland
- 2 Top-heavy; too high. Northern-England, Scotland
- 3 Dull; lazy; slow. Northern-England, Scotland
"Rise up gueedewife, an dinna be sweer, / B'soothan, b'soothan, / An deal yir chirity t' the peer, / An awa b'mony a toon."
- 4 Reluctant; unwilling. Northern-England, Scotland
"But faith, to glump ye I'd be sweer / I wish ye luck o' this new year"
- 5 Niggardly. Northern-England, Scotland
"For if my Pen shall turn as Sweir's their Purse / I fear this is the last I'll write in Verse"
Example
"They won't believe me even if I swear it is true."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "swear"?
Common synonyms include: blaspheme, curse, cuss, imprecate, abjure, abuse.
How do you use "swear" in a sentence?
They won't believe me even if I swear it is true.
How do you pronounce "swear"?
Pronounced /swɛə(ɹ)/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English sweren, swerien, from Old English swerian (“to swear, take an oath of office”), from Proto-West Germanic *swarjan, from Proto-Germanic *swarjaną (“to speak, swear”), from Proto-Indo-European *swer- (“to swear”). Cognate with West Frisian swarre (“to swear”), Saterland Frisian swera (“to swear”), Dutch zweren (“to swear, vow”), Low German swören (“to swear”), sweren, German schwören (“to swear”), Danish sværge, Swedish svära (“to swear”), Icelandic sverja (“to swear”), Russian свара (svara, “quarrel”). Also cognate to Albanian var (“to hang, consider, to depend from”) through Proto-Indo-European. The original sense in all Germanic languages is “to take an oath”. The sense “to use bad language” developed in Middle English and is based on the Christian prohibition against swearing in general (cf. Matthew 5:33-37) and invoking God’s name in particular (i.e. frequent swearing was considered similar to the use of obscene words).
Etymology 2
From the above verb, or from Middle English sware, from Old English swaru, from Proto-Germanic *swarō.
Etymology 3
From Middle English swere, swer, swar, from Old English swǣr, swār (“heavy, heavy as a burden, of great weight, oppressive, grievous, painful, unpleasant, sad, feeling or expressing grief, grave, slow, dull, sluggish, slothful, indolent, inactive from weakness, enfeebled, weak”), from Proto-West Germanic *swār, from Proto-Germanic *swēraz (“heavy”), from Proto-Indo-European *swer- (“heavy”). Cognate with West Frisian swier (“heavy”), Dutch zwaar (“heavy, hard, difficult”), German schwer (“heavy, hard, difficult”), Danish svær (“heavy, hard, severe”), Swedish svår (“heavy, hard, severe”), Latin sērius (“earnest, grave, solemn, serious”) and Albanian varrë (“wound, plague”).