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swear

Pronunciation: /ˈswɛə(ɹ)/

The English word “swear” has 13 meanings listed here.

verb

  1. To take an oath, to promise intensely, solemnly, and/or with legally binding effect.
  2. To take an oath that an assertion is true.
  3. To promise intensely that something is true; to strongly assert.
  4. To administer an oath to (a person).
  5. To use offensive, profane, or obscene language.
  6. To be lazy; rest for a short while during working hours.

noun

  1. A swear word.
  2. A lazy time; a short rest during working hours (especially field labour); a siesta.

adjective

  1. Heavy.
  2. Top-heavy; too high.
  3. Dull; lazy; slow.
  4. Reluctant; unwilling.
  5. Niggardly.

Etymology

From Middle English sweren, swerien, from Old English swerian (“to swear, take an oath of office”), from Proto-West Germanic *swarjan, from Proto-Germanic *swarjaną (“to speak, swear”), from Proto-Indo-European *swer- (“to swear”). Cognate with West Frisian swarre (“to swear”), Saterland Frisian swera (“to swear”), Dutch zweren (“to swear, vow”), Low German swören (“to swear”), sweren, German…

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