swear

Formsswears, swearing, swore, sworn

Pluralswears

1. 1
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To use rude or offensive words, often when angry.

   Please don't swear in front of the kids.

   He swore loudly when he dropped the box on his foot.

   Similarcurse

2. 2
   verbtransitive or intransitive

   To make a serious promise, sometimes in a formal ceremony.

   I swear I will pay you back next week.

   New citizens swore an oath to the country at the ceremony.

   Similarvow, pledge

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To say very strongly that something is true.

   I swear I didn't touch your phone.

   She swore she had seen the man somewhere before.

   Similarinsist, maintain, assert, declare

   Oppositedeny

   Note
4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To make a formal promise, often in court, that what you say is true.

   Before you answer questions in court, you must swear that you will tell the truth.

   The witness swore that she had never met the driver.

   Similaraffirm, testify, depose

   Oppositedeny

5. 5
   nouncountable

   A rude or offensive word that may shock or upset people.

   He said a swear when he stubbed his toe.

   Mom doesn't allow swears in the house.

   Similarprofanity, obscenity, curse, expletive, cuss

   Note
6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To lead a person through an official promise, like the promise to tell the truth in court.

   The judge will swear the witness before she answers any questions.

   The clerk swore the jury at the start of the trial.

   Note
7. 7
   adjectivedialectalNorthern EnglandScotland

   Heavy and hard to lift or carry.

   The sack of grain was too swear for the boy to lift.

   She set down the swear basket and rubbed her tired arms.

   Similarheavy, weighty, massive

   Oppositelight

   Note
8. 8
   adjectivedialectalNorthern EnglandScotland

   Not willing or not wanting to do something.

   The old dog was swear to leave the warm fire.

   He is swear to get up on cold mornings.

   Similarunwilling, reluctant, disinclined, loath

   Oppositewilling, eager, keen

   Note
9. 9
   adjectivedialectalNorthern EnglandScotland

   Lazy and slow to move or work.

   The swear boy let his brother do all the chores.

   After the big lunch, the workers felt swear and slow.

   Similarlazy, idle, sluggish, slothful, indolent

   Oppositeenergetic, brisk, industrious

   Note
10. 10
    adjectivedialectalNorthern EnglandScotland

    Too heavy at the top, or built too high, so it may tip over.

    Like a tower of blocks with the biggest block on top: easy to knock over.

    The swear stack of hay leaned to one side.

    The loaded wagon looked swear and tipped over at the first turn.

    Similartop-heavy, unstable, unsteady

    Oppositestable, steady

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