promise

1 of 2

noun

prom·​ise ˈprä-məs How to pronounce promise (audio)
1
a
: a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified
b
: a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act
2
: reason to expect something
little promise of relief
especially : ground for expectation of success, improvement, or excellence
shows considerable promise
3
: something that is promised

promise

2 of 2

verb

promised; promising

transitive verb

1
: to pledge to do, bring about, or provide
promise aid
2
archaic : warrant, assure
3
chiefly dialectal : betroth
4
: to suggest beforehand : give promise of
dark clouds promise rain

intransitive verb

1
: to make a promise
2
: to give ground for expectation : be imminent
promisee noun
promisor noun
or less commonly promiser

Examples of promise in a Sentence

Noun She gave me her promise. She never made a promise that she didn't intend to keep. There is little promise of relief in the forecast. They were attracted by the promise of success. a sunny morning that gives every promise of a fine day There is a promise of better days ahead. Verb Promise me that you won't tell anyone. I can't promise you that I'll be able to go, but I'll do my best. The governor promised that the prisoners would receive a fair trial. She promised to announce the results tomorrow. International organizations have promised aid. I promise to be careful. You always promise, but you never do what you say you will. “I won't tell anyone.” “Promise?” “Yes, I promise.” Those gray skies promise rain.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Harness the promise of A.I. and protect us from its peril. USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 But the promise of amyloid-targeting drugs remains divisive within the field. David Ovalle, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 All four players arrived to great fanfare but have largely been disappointing, though Mara has shown some promise on offense in recent weeks. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 The promise of a new season gives us the perfect excuse for a wardrobe overhaul — which means saying goodbye to puffy coats and sweaters in favor of light, airy blouses. Jamie Allison Sanders, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 Ophelia’s narrative begins with the blossoming of a secret romance with Hamlet, filled with promise and youthful passion. David Catlin, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024 In the March 1987 issue of Popular Science, writer Jim Schefter tested the device with its big futuristic promises and hours-long setup time. Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2024 The 2006 film delivered on its promise, winning Best Picture and, finally, scoring Scorsese his first Best Director trophy. Derek Lawrence, EW.com, 5 Mar. 2024 The United States – a top destination for Haitian migrants fleeing the country’s turmoil – has also eagerly backed the mission with a promise of $200 million. Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024
Verb
Crafted from sustainable materials and built for longevity, this set promises a stylish and comfortable playtime. Samantha McIntyre, Parents, 9 Mar. 2024 In a bid to compete with similar membership programs like Walmart+ and Amazon Prime, Target Circle 360—which will cost customers $99 per year—promises free two-day shipping on online orders and unlimited same-day delivery under an hour on orders over $35. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 Rivian promises a full refund for customers who change their mind. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 8 Mar. 2024 Your double promised enough strength to respond with heart length plus clubs or diamond support. Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Grass seed that’s promised to patch bare spots usually won’t. Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 This could prove promising: Europe has close to 20 start-ups developing micro-launchers and most have plans for larger rockets. Jean-François Morizur, Fortune Europe, 8 Mar. 2024 Even though venture capital deals have slowed, life science companies like Boundless that promise clinical data within months — not years — are getting attention from investors. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 This had never been done before—with any disease—but the nonprofit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation deemed the strategy promising enough to strike an unusual venture-philanthropy agreement with a company that would attempt it, which was eventually bought by Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'promise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English promis, from Latin promissum, from neuter of promissus, past participle of promittere to send forth, promise, from pro- forth + mittere to send

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of promise was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near promise

Cite this Entry

“Promise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/promise. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

promise

1 of 2 noun
prom·​ise ˈpräm-əs How to pronounce promise (audio)
1
: a statement by a person that he or she will or will not do something
a promise to pay within a month
2
: something promised
3
: a cause or ground for hope
give promise of success
shows promise

promise

2 of 2 verb
promised; promising
1
: to give a promise about one's own actions
I promise to clean my room this afternoon
2
: to give reason to expect
dark clouds promising rain
promisor noun
Etymology

Noun

Middle English promisse, promis "promise," derived from Latin promissus, past participle of promittere "to send forth, promise," from pro- "forward, forth" and mittere "to send, throw" — related to message

Legal Definition

promise

noun
prom·​ise
: a declaration or manifestation especially in a contract of an intention to act or refrain from acting in a specified way that gives the party to whom it is made a right to expect its fulfillment
aleatory promise
: a promise (as to compensate an insured individual for future loss) whose fulfillment is dependent on a fortuitous or uncertain event
collateral promise
: a promise usually to pay the debt of another that is ancillary to an original promise, is not made for the benefit of the party making it, and must be in writing to be enforceable
false promise
: a promise that is made with no intention of carrying it out and especially with intent to deceive or defraud
gratuitous promise
: a promise that is made without consideration and is usually unenforceable

called also naked promise

compare nudum pactum

Note: A gratuitous promise may be enforceable under promissory estoppel.

illusory promise
: a purported promise that does not actually bind the party making it to a particular performance an illusory promise depending solely on the will of the supposed promisor
implied promise
: a promise that is considered to exist despite the lack of an agreement or express terms to that effect and the breach of which may be recognized as a cause of action claimed a breach of an implied promise that he would not be terminated at will see also promise implied in fact and promise implied in law in this entry
naked promise
: gratuitous promise in this entry
original promise
: a promise (as in a suretyship) usually to pay the debt of another that is made primarily for the benefit of the party making it and need not be in writing to be enforceable compare collateral promise in this entry, main purpose rule
promise implied in fact
: an implied promise that exists by inference from specific facts, circumstances, or acts of the parties
promise implied in law
: an implied promise that exists on the basis of a legally enforceable duty and not on the basis of words or conduct which are promissory in form or support an inference of a promise a promise implied in law that one will be compensated for services rendered and accepted

More from Merriam-Webster on promise

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