What does "vouch" mean?
An assertion, a declaration; also, a formal attestation or warrant of the correctness or truth of something.
Vouch
/ˈvaʊt͡ʃ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An assertion, a declaration; also, a formal attestation or warrant of the correctness or truth of something.
- Grammar: vouch is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: guarantee, acknowledge, affirm, affirm.
- Useful contrasts: condemn, disbelieve, disparage.
- Usage evidence: I can give you a copy of the report, but I can't vouch for its accuracy.
How to use "vouch"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "vouch" 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 "vouch" 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 "vouch" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "vouch" 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 "vouch" is acting as 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 "guarantee" 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.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "vouch", 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 An assertion, a declaration; also, a formal attestation or warrant of the correctness or truth of something. archaic, obsolete
"VVho will beleeue thee Iſabell? My vnſoild name, th' auſteereneſſe of my life, My vouch againſt you, and my place i'th State, VVill ſo your accuſation ouer-vveigh, That you ſhall ſtifle in your ovvne report, And ſmell of calumnie."
Verb
- 1 To call on (someone) to be a witness to something. transitive
"Nor need I ſpeak my Deeds, for thoſe you ſee, The Sun and Day are Witneſſes for me. Let him who fights unſeen, relate his own, And vouch the ſilent Stars, and conſcious Moon."
- 2 give supporting evidence wordnet
- 3 To cite or rely on (an authority, a written work, etc.) in support of one's actions or opinions. transitive
"But the most catholike and renoumed doctours of Christes religion in the corroboration of their argumentes and sentences, do alledge the same histories and vouche (as I mought say) to their ayde the autoritie of the writars."
- 4 summon (a vouchee) into court to warrant or defend a title wordnet
- 5 To affirm or warrant the correctness or truth of (something); also, to affirm or warrant (the truth of an assertion or statement). transitive
"Nay tis moſt credible, we heere receiue it, A certaintie vouch'd from our Coſin Auſtria, […]"
Show 12 more definitions
- 6 give surety or assume responsibility wordnet
- 7 To bear witness or testify to the nature or qualities (of someone or something). transitive
"If a Man ſucceeds in any Attempt, though undertook with never ſo much Folly and Raſhneſs, his Succeſs ſhall vouch him a Politician; and good Luck ſhall paſs for deep Contrivance: […]"
- 8 give personal assurance; guarantee wordnet
- 9 To back, confirm, or support (someone or something) with credible evidence or proof. transitive
"[M]ee damp horror chil'd At ſuch bold words voucht with a deed ſo bold: […]"
- 10 Synonym of vouchsafe (“to condescendingly or graciously give or grant (something)”). archaic, transitive
"Our Maſter Mars Haſt vouch'd his Oracle, and to Arcite gave The grace of the Contention: So the Deities Have ſhewd due juſtice: […]"
- 11 To assert, aver, or declare (something). archaic, obsolete, transitive
"But wherein then according to their Opinion did this Image of God conſiſt? Why, in that Power and Dominion that God gave Adam over the Creatures: In that he was vouched his immediate Deputy upon Earth, the Viceroy of the Creation, and Lord-Lieutenant of the World."
- 12 In full vouch to warrant or vouch to warranty: to summon (someone) into court to establish a warranty of title to land. transitive
"[W]hen the Tenant being impleaded within a particular iuriſdiction (as in London or the like) voucheth one to warranty and prayes that he may be ſummoned in ſome other county out of the iuriſdiction of that Court: this is called a foreine Voucher, […]"
- 13 Followed by over: of a vouchee (a person summoned to court to establish a warranty of title): to summon (someone) to court in their place. transitive
"[I]t is now uſual always to have a recovery with double voucher at the leaſt; by firſt conveying an eſtate of freehold to any indifferent perſon, againſt whom the praecipe is brought; and then he vouches the tenant in tail, who vouches over the common vouchee."
- 14 To guarantee legal title (to something). obsolete, transitive
"[W]ill vouchers vouch him no more of his purchaſes & doubles then the length and breadth of a payre of Indentures?"
- 15 Often followed by for.; To bear witness or testify; to guarantee or sponsor. intransitive
"I can vouch that he wasn’t at the scene of the crime."
- 16 Often followed by for.; To provide evidence or proof. intransitive
- 17 Often followed by for.; To express confidence in or take responsibility for (the correctness or truth of) something. intransitive
"Lives still such maid?—Fair damsels say, For further vouches not my lay, Save that such lived in Britain's isle, Where Lorn's bright Edith scorn'd to smile."
Antonyms
Example
"I can give you a copy of the report, but I can't vouch for its accuracy."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "vouch"?
Common synonyms include: guarantee, acknowledge, affirm, affirm, affirmance, affirmation.
How do you use "vouch" in a sentence?
I can give you a copy of the report, but I can't vouch for its accuracy.
How do you pronounce "vouch"?
Pronounced /ˈvaʊt͡ʃ/.
Etymology
The verb is derived from Middle English vouchen (“to call, summon; to provide; to make available, proffer; to affirm, declare formally”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman vocher, voucher, woucher, and Old French vocher, voucher, vochier (“to call, summon; to claim; to call upon, invoke; to denounce”) [and other forms], from Vulgar Latin *vocicāre, derived from Latin vocāre (“to call, summon; to call upon, invoke; to designate, name; to bring or put (into a condition or state”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wekʷ- (“to sound out; to speak”). Verb sense 8.1 (“to summon (someone) into court to establish a warranty of title to land”) in the form vouch to warrant or vouch to warranty is a calque from Anglo-Norman and Old French voucher a garant. The noun is derived from the verb.