swear Definition

swear
verb swore, sworn, swearing

intr
1. To use indecent or blasphemous language.

Thesaurus: curse, blaspheme, imprecate, cuss.
2. To assert something solemnly or earnestly, sometimes with an oath.

Thesaurus: avow, affirm, testify, vow, attest, vouch, assert, depose, give witness.
3. To promise solemnly, usually by taking an oath.
4. To take (an oath).

noun

1. An act of swearing.

Example: He went outside to have a good swear

Derivative: swearer
noun

Derivative: swearing
noun

Indecent or blasphemous language
Thesaurus: profanity, expletives, maledictions.

Idiom: swear blind

colloq
To assert emphatically.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon swerian.

Phrasal Verb: swear at someone

To speak to or shout at them in indecent or blasphemous language.

Phrasal Verb: swear by someone or something

To appeal to (eg a deity or something precious or important) as a witness to a solemn promise or the truth of a statement.To have or put complete trust in it (eg a certain product or remedy) or item (eg a doctor or therapist).

Phrasal Verb: swear someone in

To introduce them formally into a post, or into the witness box, by requesting them to take an oath.

Phrasal Verb: swear off something

To promise to renounce it or give it up.

Phrasal Verb: swear to something

To solemnly state it to be unquestionably true.

Phrasal Verb: swear someone to something

To bind them by a solemn promise.
Example: They swore her to secrecy