Swear | Mean of swear in English Dictionary

/ˈsweɚ/

• Verb
• to state (something) very strongly and sincerely
1. I swear (that) I was there. [=I was definitely there; I am telling you the truth when I say that I was there]
2. Her English is so good that you would swear she has been studying it for years. [=you would really think that she has been studying it for years, even though she has not]
3. You'd swear (that) the jewels are real. [=the jewels look very real even though they are not]
4. I could have sworn that I left my keys on the counter. [=I'm very surprised that my keys are not on the counter because I definitely remember putting them there]
5. (US) She swore up and down [=insisted] (that) she didn't do it.
6. (Brit) He swore blind [=insisted] (that) he was innocent.
7. I didn't do anything wrong. I swear (on my mother's grave). [=I am being absolutely honest when I say that I didn't do anything wrong]
8. I wouldn't swear to it [=I'm not absolutely sure about it], but I think he's written three books so far.
• to promise very strongly and sincerely to do or not do something
1. He swore [=vowed] to seek revenge.
2. He swore revenge on the killers.
3. I swear (that) I'll never do that again.
4. I swear to God, I'll kill him if he comes back.
5. I'll never do that again. Swear to God. [=I promise you that I'll never do that again]
• to use offensive words when you speak
1. Don't swear in front of the children.
2. The other driver swore at me and drove away.

• to make a formal or official promise especially in a court of law
1. I do solemnly swear to tell the whole truth.
2. They swore (an oath of) allegiance to the United States of America. [=they formally promised that they would be loyal to the United States of America]
3. Witnesses are required to swear on the Bible [=to put a hand on the Bible and make a formal promise to tell the truth] before they testify.
• to cause (someone) to make a promise
1. He swore us to secrecy/silence. [=he made us promise not to tell anyone his secret]
2. Witnesses are sworn to tell the truth.
• to have or express a lot of confidence in (something)
1. She swears by this diet.
2. His method sounds pretty strange, but he swears by it.
• to place (someone) in a new office or position by having an official ceremony in which that person makes a formal promise to do the work properly, to be honest and loyal, etc.
1. When do they swear him in?
2. The new president will be sworn in tomorrow.
• to stop doing, having, or being involved in (something)
1. He was so disgusted by the election results that he swore off politics for good.
2. She tried to swear off chocolate, but she couldn't do it.