promise

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To say firmly that you will definitely do something.

   She promised to call me as soon as she arrived.

2. 2
   noun

   A firm statement that you will definitely do something.

   When I make a promise, I always keep it.

3. 3
   noun

   A sign that someone or something could be successful in the future.

   The young player showed great promise.

From Middle English promis, promisse, borrowed from Old French promesse, from Medieval Latin prōmissa, Latin prōmissum (“a promise”), feminine and neuter past participles of prōmittō (“to send forth, to say beforehand, to promise”), from pro (“forth”) + mittere (“to send”); see mission. Compare admit, commit, permit, etc. Displaced native ġehātan (“to promise”) and ġehāt (“a promise”).

Topics