promise

promise: prom|ise¹ W2S2 [ˈprɔmıs US ˈpra:-] v

1.) [I and T]

to tell someone that you will definitely do or provide something or that something will happen

▪ Last night the headmaster promised a full investigation.

promise to do sth

▪ She's promised to do all she can to help.

promise (that)

▪ Hurry up - we promised we wouldn't be late.

promise sb (that)

▪ You promised me the car would be ready on Monday.

▪ 'Promise me you won't do anything stupid.' 'I promise.'

promise sth to sb

▪ I've promised that book to Ian, I'm afraid.

promise sb sth

▪ The company promised us a bonus this year.

▪ 'I'll be back by 1.00.' ' Promise ?' 'Yes! Don't worry.'

▪ He reappeared two hours later, as promised .

2.) [T]

to show signs of something

promise to be sth

▪ Tonight's meeting promises to be a difficult one.

▪ dark clouds promising showers later

3.) promise sb the moon/the earth

to promise to give someone something that is impossible for you to give

4.) I can't promise (anything)

spoken used to tell someone that you will try to do what they want, but may not be able to

▪ I'll try my best to get tickets, but I can't promise anything.

5.) I promise you

spoken used to emphasize a promise, warning, or statement

▪ I promise you, it does work!

promise ²

promise² W2S3 n

[Date: 1300-1400; : Latin; Origin: promissum, from the past participle of promittere 'to send out, promise']

1.)

a statement that you will definitely do or provide something or that something will definitely happen

promise of

▪ a promise of help

promise to

▪ his promise to his father

promise to do sth

▪ She made a promise to visit them once a month.

promise that

▪ his promise that the job would be mine

keep/break a promise

(=to do or fail to do something you promised)

▪ Don't make promises you can't keep.

▪ I might have to break my promise.

▪ I'll never lie to you again. You have my solemn promise .

2.) [U]

signs that something or someone will be good or successful

▪ a young man full of promise

▪ Bill shows great promise as a goalkeeper.

▪ She didn't fulfil her early promise .

3.) [singular,U]

a sign that something, usually something good, may happen

promise of

▪ the promise of spring

▪ The letter gave a promise of greater happiness.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

promise — prom·ise n: a declaration or manifestation esp. 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 … Law dictionary
Promise — Prom ise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Promised}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Promising}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To engage to do, give, make, or to refrain from doing, giving, or making, or the like; to covenant; to engage; as, to promise a visit; to promise a… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Promise — Prom ise, a. [F. promesse, L. promissum, fr. promittere, promissum, to put forth, foretell, promise; pro forward, for + mittere to send. See {Mission}. ] [1913 Webster] 1. In general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
promise — vb Promise, engage, pledge, plight, covenant, contract are comparable when they mean to give one s word that one will act in a specified way (as by doing, making, giving, or accepting) in respect to something stipulated. Promise implies a giving… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
promise — [n1] one’s word that something will be done affiance, affirmation, agreement, asseveration, assurance, avowal, betrothal, bond, commitment, compact, consent, contract, covenant, earnest, engagement, espousal, guarantee, insurance, marriage, oath … New thesaurus
promise — ► NOUN 1) an assurance that one will do something or that something will happen. 2) potential excellence. ► VERB 1) make a promise. 2) give good grounds for expecting. 3) (promise oneself) firmly intend … English terms dictionary
promise — [präm′is] n. [ME promis < L promissum < promittere, to send before or forward < pro , forth + mittere, to send: see PRO 2 & MISSION] 1. an oral or written agreement to do or not to do something; vow 2. indication, as of a successful… … English World dictionary
Promise — Prom ise, v. i. [1913 Webster] 1. To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration. [1913 Webster] 2. To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil. [1913 Webster] Will not the ladies… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Promise — steht für: ein Album der englischen Gruppe Sade, siehe Promise (Album) ein Album des US Amerikaners Bruce Springsteen, siehe The Promise einen Fachbegriff aus der Informatik, siehe Future (Programmierung) Diese Seite ist … Deutsch Wikipedia
promise — (n.) c.1400, from L. promissum a promise, noun use of neuter pp. of promittere send forth, foretell, promise, from pro before (see PRO (Cf. pro )) + mittere to put, send (see MISSION (Cf. mission)). Ground sense is declaration made about the… … Etymology dictionary
promise — A declaration which binds the person who makes it, either in honor, conscience, or law, to do or forbear a certain specific act, and which gives to the person to whom made a right to expect or claim the performance of some particular thing. A… … Black's law dictionary

Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

promise

Look at other dictionaries:

Share the article and excerpts

Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

Dictionary of contemporary English

promise

Look at other dictionaries:

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link