promise Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
  2. noun grounds for feeling hopeful about the future
    hope.
    • there is little or no promise that he will recover
  3. verb make a promise or commitment
    assure.
  4. verb promise to undertake or give
    • I promise you my best effort
  5. verb make a prediction about; tell in advance
    predict; anticipate; forebode; foretell; call; prognosticate.
    • Call the outcome of an election
  6. verb give grounds for expectations
    • The new results were promising
    • The results promised fame and glory

WordNet

Prom"ise adjective
Etymology
F. promesse, L. promissum, fr. promittere, promissum, to put forth, foretell, promise; pro forward, for + mittere to send. See Mission.
Definitions
  1. In general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it to do, or to forbear to do, a specified act; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act.
    For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Gal. iii. 18.
  2. (Law) An engagement by one person to another, either in words or in writing, but properly not under seal, for the performance or nonperformance of some particular thing. The word promise is used to denote the mere engagement of a person, without regard to the consideration for it, or the corresponding duty of the party to whom it is made. Chitty. Parsons. Burrill.
  3. That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance; especially, that which affords expectation of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise. Shak.
    My native country was full of youthful promise. W. Irving.
  4. Bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised.
    He . . . commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father. Acts i. 4.
Prom"ise transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Promised ; present participle & verbal noun Promising
Definitions
  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 cessation of hostilities; to promise the payment of money. "To promise aid." Shak.
  2. To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of; as, the clouds promise rain. Milton.
  3. To make declaration of or give assurance of, as some benefit to be conferred; to pledge or engage to bestow; as, the proprietors promised large tracts of land; the city promised a reward.
    I dare promise myself you will attest the truth of all I have advanced. Rambler.
Prom"ise intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration.
  2. To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil.
    Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion? I fear it, I promise you. Shak.

Webster 1913