vow1 nounvow2 verb
vowvow1 /vaʊ/ ●○○ noun [countable] 
WORD ORIGINvow1
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French vou, from Latin votum; ➔ VOTE2EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- After being released from his wedding vows, John joined the Friars Minor.
- Dole was clearly trying to avoid the trap in which former President Bush found himself after violating the tax vow.
- His marriage to this parish was inviolable in its own sacred vows.
- She told him that she was bound by a vow not to tell any human being.
- The exchanging of tokens was, like the exchanging of vows, not to be undertaken lightly.
- The novitiate over, they are permitted to make their first vows.
- This vow the Cid Campeador made.
- What's more, I had memories from many other lifetimes of taking vows of poverty.
THESAURUS
a statement that you will definitely do or provide something, which may not be reliable: · ‘I’ll call you tomorrow.’ ‘Is that a promise?’· Politicians are always making promises.
a public or official promise to do a particular thing in the future: · The Government has fulfilled at least 50% of its election pledges.· We have received pledges of help from various organizations.
a very serious promise to do something or not to do something that you choose to make: · He made a vow never to drink alcohol again.· your marriage vows
a formal promise, especially one that someone makes in a court of law: · Witnesses swear a solemn oath to tell the truth.· Public officials must take an oath to support the US Constitution.
a serious or public promise to do something, especially something difficult which needs a lot of effort or money: · The police have given an undertaking to reduce street crime in the city centre.· He was made to sign a written undertaking that he would not go within a mile of her house.
a promise that something will happen or is true, made so that someone is less worried or more confident: · You have my assurance that it won’t happen again.· The manager gave me his personal assurance that the goods would be delivered today.
a very definite promise that something will happen. A guarantee is also a formal written promise by a company to repair or replace a product free if it has a fault within a fixed period of time.: · With any diet, there’s no guarantee of success.· I’m afraid I can’t give you a 100% guarantee.· Is the camera still under guarantee (=within the period during which it can be repaired or replaced free)?
WORD SETSabbess, nounabbey, nounabbot, nounabsolution, nounAdvent, nounalleluia, interjectionaltar boy, nounAnglican, nounAnglo-Catholic, nounapocalyptic, adjectiveapostle, nounapostolic, adjectivearchbishop, nounarchbishopric, nounarchdeacon, nounarchdiocese, nounArk of the Covenant, nounAsh Wednesday, nounAuthorized Version, banns, nounbaptism, nounBaptist, nounbaptize, verbbasilica, nounbeadle, nounbeatify, verbBenedictine, nounbenediction, nounbenefice, nounbiblical, adjectivebiretta, nounbishop, nounbishopric, nounblaspheme, verbblasphemy, nounbrother, nounbull, nounCalvinism, nounCalvinist, adjectivecanon, nouncanonical, adjectivecanonize, verbcanon law, nouncantor, nouncardinal, nouncardinal sin, nouncarol, nouncatechism, nouncathedral, nounCatholic, adjectivechantry, nounchapel, nounchaplain, nounchaplaincy, nounchapter, nounchapterhouse, nouncherub, nounChrist, nounchristen, verbChristendom, nounchristening, nounChristian, nounChristian, adjectivechurch, nounchurchgoer, nounchurchman, nounChurch of England, nounchurchwarden, nounchurchwoman, nounchurchyard, nounclergyman, nounclergywoman, nouncleric, nounclerical, adjectiveclerk, nouncloister, nouncollect, nouncommandment, nouncommunicant, nouncompline, nounconfess, verbconfession, nounconfessional, nounconfessor, nounconfirmation, nouncongregation, nounCongregationalism, nounconsecrate, verbcope, nouncreationist, nouncreche, nouncrib, nouncrosier, nouncrozier, nouncrucifix, nouncrucifixion, nouncrusade, nouncrusade, verbcrypt, nouncuracy, nouncurate, noundeacon, noundeaconess, noundean, noundeanery, noundiocese, noundisciple, noundisestablish, verbdispensation, noundog collar, nounDominican, nounEaster, nounecclesiastic, nounecclesiastical, adjectiveecumenical, adjectiveEden, nounelder, nounencyclical, nounEpiphany, nounepiscopal, adjectiveEpistle, nounevangelical, adjectiveevangelist, nounevangelize, verbevensong, nounexcommunicate, verbexegesis, nounfellowship, nounflagellant, nounflagellate, verbflock, nounfont, nounFr, friar, nounfrock, nounfundamentalist, noungargoyle, noungenuflect, verbgodfather, nounGod-fearing, adjectivegodless, adjectivegodly, adjectivegodmother, noungodparent, noungodson, nounGood Friday, noungrace, noungracious, adjectiveHail Mary, nounharvest festival, nounHigh Church, nounHigh Mass, nounHoly Communion, nounHoly Father, nounHoly Spirit, nounHoly Week, nounHoly Writ, nounhomily, nounhymn book, nounimprimatur, nounincarnation, nouninduct, verbindulgence, nouninquisitor, nouninterdenominational, adjectiveinterdict, nounJehovah, Jesuit, nounJesus, judgment day, nounlay, adjectivelay reader, nounlectern, nounlesson, nounlitany, nounLow Church, nounlychgate, nounMadonna, nounmanna, nounmanse, nounmatins, nounmeeting-house, nounmessianic, adjectiveMethodist, nounminister, nounministerial, adjectiveministry, nounminster, nounmiracle, nounmissal, nounmissionary, nounmitre, nounmoderator, nounMonsignor, nounMorning Prayer, nounmortal sin, nounMother of God, nounMother Superior, nounname day, nounNativity, nounNativity play, nounnave, nounNegro spiritual, nounNoah's ark, nounNonconformist, adjectivenuncio, nounoffertory, nounoratory, nounordination, nounoriginal sin, nounOur Father, nounOur Lady, Our Lord, padre, nounPalm Sunday, nounpapacy, nounpapal, adjectivepapist, nounparable, nounparish, nounparish church, nounparish clerk, nounparishioner, nounparochial, adjectiveparochial school, nounparson, nounparsonage, nounpassion play, nounpastor, nounpatriarch, nounpatron saint, nounpenance, nounpenitent, nounPentecost, nounPentecostal, adjectiveperdition, nounPlymouth Brethren, nounpontiff, nounpontifical, adjectivepontificate, nounPope, nounprayer book, nounpredestination, nounprelate, nounPresbyterian, nounpresbytery, nounpriest, nounPrimate, nounprior, nounprioress, nounpriory, nounPromised Land, the, Protestant, nounpsalm, nounpsalmist, nounpsalter, nounpulpit, nounQuaker, nounRC, rector, nounrectory, nounredeem, verbredemption, nounrequiem, nounRev, Revd, Reverend, nounReverend Mother, nounrevival, nounrevival meeting, nounRoman Catholic, adjectiverood screen, nounrosary, nounsacrament, nounsacristan, nounsacristy, nounsaint, nounsainted, adjectivesainthood, nounsaint's day, nounsalvation, nounsanctuary, nounSatan, nounsave, verbschism, nounscriptural, adjectivesecular, adjectivesee, nounseminary, nounseraph, nounsermon, nounsexton, nounShrove Tuesday, nounsister, nounsisterhood, nounSJ, special licence, nounsteeple, nounstigmata, nounstoup, nounSunday school, nounsurplice, nounsynod, nountabernacle, nountestify, verbtransubstantiation, nounTrappist, noununfrock, verbUnitarian, nounvenial, adjectivevespers, nounvestment, nounvestry, nounvicar, nounvicarage, nounvotive, adjectivevow, nounVulgate, the, nounWhitsun, nounwimple, nounXmas, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs
a solemn vowCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
1a serious promise: · I made a vow never to go near the place again.
(=make a vow at a formal ceremony)· Priests have to take a vow of obedience to the Catholic Church.
(=do as you promised)· She kept her vow not to tell anyone about their affair.
(=fail to do as you promised)· She accused him of breaking his marriage vows.
(=make promises to each other as part of a wedding ceremony)· They wanted to exchange vows before their family and friends.
(=have a second wedding ceremony to repeat your promises)· Fifty couples celebrated their golden weddings and renewed their vows at a cathedral service in Chicago.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + vow (=a very serious vow, which you must keep)· He made a solemn vow that he would do everything he could to help her.
· She wrote her own marriage vows.
· When we get married in church we are making sacred vows.
phrases· People close to him have finally broken their vow of silence.
(=to have promised seriously to do something)· She told him she was bound by a vow not to tell any other person.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=break a serious or formal promise)· He accused her of breaking her marriage vows.
(=promise to take revenge)· His supporters vowed revenge for his death.
a solemn vow· His father-in-law accused him of breaking his marriage vows and questioned his integrity as a Privy Councillor.· Fortunately for Mrs Bush, her marriage lasted and delivered the kind of lifetime security that marriage vows imply.
VERB· Was he breaking his vows by wanting that?· And, indeed, plenty of military personnel are guilty of breaking marital vows and getting away with it.· The reason for breaking our vows were pecuniary and made financial sense.· His father-in-law accused him of breaking his marriage vows and questioned his integrity as a Privy Councillor.· I'd have gone against Maria Luisa and broken my vow of silence to put you out of your misery.
· But there are legitimate houses of worship here that welcome any serious couple who want to exchange vows before family and friends.· Nevertheless, Don and I exchanged vows that day.· Debbie and Dave had asked me to make a little speech before the minister spoke and they exchanged vows.· It seemed only appropriate to exchange their vows before the entire congregation.
· He asked himself how he'd feel if he found out someday that Emilio had kept his vow, always and for ever.· Nowadays she returned to defy the enemy: to keep her vow.
· She made her silent vow to the piece of wallpaper that flapped in the breeze.· They will make their vows for one year.· That day I made a vow to myself that I would return to Athens and run better.· I will make my final vows on the same day.· Melanie made a vow never to use it herself.· Because I made a vow this afternoon.· Bernice made a vow never to pick a fight with him.· The novitiate over, they are permitted to make their first vows.
· Had he not taken a vow of celibacy?· Then, just as things were getting really interesting, he took a vow of silence.· What's more, I had memories from many other lifetimes of taking vows of poverty.· But while up in Zululand he took a vow and that made it final.· Time in the monastery on the Via Siciliana-where Hamilton seems to have taken his own vow of silence.· At Miami, too, I decided not to take any vows about keeping out of politics.· There was no obligation to join the Order or to take vows.
Jim made a vow that he would find his wife’s killer.2a religious promise that you will do something for God, the church etc: a monk who had taken a vow of poverty3vows [plural] a) (also marriage/wedding vows) the promises you make during your wedding b)the promises you make when you become a Catholic priest or nunCOLLOCATIONSverbsmake a vow· I made a vow never to go near the place again.take a vow (=make a vow at a formal ceremony)· Priests have to take a vow of obedience to the Catholic Church.keep a vow (=do as you promised)· She kept her vow not to tell anyone about their affair.break a vow (=fail to do as you promised)· She accused him of breaking his marriage vows.exchange vows (=make promises to each other as part of a wedding ceremony)· They wanted to exchange vows before their family and friends.renew your vows (=have a second wedding ceremony to repeat your promises)· Fifty couples celebrated their golden weddings and renewed their vows at a cathedral service in Chicago.ADJECTIVES/NOUN + vowa solemn vow (=a very serious vow, which you must keep)· He made a solemn vow that he would do everything he could to help her.marriage/wedding vows· She wrote her own marriage vows.a holy/sacred vow· When we get married in church we are making sacred vows.phrasesa vow of silence/poverty/celibacy etc· People close to him have finally broken their vow of silence.be bound by a vow (=to have promised seriously to do something)· She told him she was bound by a vow not to tell any other person.vow1 nounvow2 verb
vowvow2 ●○○ verb [transitive] VERB TABLE
vow
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | vow |
| he, she, it | vows | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | vowed |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have vowed |
| he, she, it | has vowed | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had vowed |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will vow |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have vowed |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am vowing |
| he, she, it | is vowing | |
| you, we, they | are vowing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was vowing |
| you, we, they | were vowing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been vowing |
| he, she, it | has been vowing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been vowing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be vowing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been vowing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Ben vowed to avenge his mother's death.
- Daley vowed that the Police Department would be reformed.
- And they vow to do it all without raising taxes.
- But a year ago, Putin came to power vowing to crack down on wayward regions.
- But yesterday she vowed that the tragedy would not ruin their lives.
- City officials vowed to press ahead with the appointment process by interviewing the finalists and naming a chief Feb. 2.
- Cook died in 1940, vowing that time would vindicate him.
- Legco, the largely toothless legislature, has vowed not to authorise spending for new camps.
- On the day she died, I vowed that whatever happened, I would keep you away from them.
- Sugar producers hailed the vote while groups opposed to the program vowed they would keep trying to kill it.
THESAURUS
to tell someone that you will definitely do something, or that something will happen: · He promised to give the book back.· The organisers have promised that this year’s event will take place.
to make a very serious and sincere promise, for example in a law court: · He had sworn to tell the truth.· I would never do that, I swear.
especially spoken to promise sincerely that you will do something or that something is true – often used when you are trying to persuade someone that they can trust you: · I give you my word that your money is safe with me.· I’ll let you go out tonight if you give me your word that you’ll be home by 11.
to make a very serious promise, often to yourself: · She vowed that she would never drink alcohol again.· They vowed to carry on their campaign for justice.
to promise someone that something will happen or that something is true, in order to try to make them feel less worried: · Police have assured the public that they are doing everything they can to find the killer.
to promise that you will make sure that something will definitely happen, so that there is no question of it not happening: · I guarantee that you will have the documents by tomorrow.· How can you guarantee that this won’t happen again?
to promise publicly or officially that you will do something, for example to give help or money: · The government has pledged to increase overseas aid to $4 billion over the next five years.
formal to make an official or legal promise to do something: · The government undertook to keep price increases to a minimum.· The two sides undertook to respect each other’s territory.
formal to make a firm and definite promise to do something important, which will affect you for a long time and which could result in serious effects if you fail: · Bobby felt unready to commit to a romantic relationship.· A group of 11 companies has committed to developing a new passenger plane.
Longman Language Activatorto promise something to tell someone that you will definitely do something that they want you to do or expect you to do: · "I can't take you to the beach today, after all." "But you promised!"promise (that): · Hurry up, we promised we wouldn't be late this time.· Richardson apologized and promised that appropriate action would be taken to fix the problem.promise to do something: · The government had promised to investigate the cause of the accident.promise somebody (that): · I promised the kids I'd take them to a movie.promise somebody something (=promise to give someone something): · I promised Jamie a ride to school this morning.
to tell someone that something will definitely happen or is definitely true, so that they are less worried or more confident: assure somebody (that): · The doctor assured me that I wouldn't feel any pain.· The airline has assured travellers there will be no further delays.
to promise someone very seriously and sincerely that you will do something: · Campus officials had given her their word. There was to be a raise in salary each year.give sb your word (that): · I've given him my word that we'll take care of the house like it was ours.give somebody your word of honour/honor: · He had given her his word of honor that he would respect her wishes.
to make a very serious promise, especially publicly or in a law court: swear (that): · During the ceremony you swear that you will serve the country loyally.swear to somebody (that): · I swore to myself that I'd never do anything like it again.swear to do something: · Do you swear to tell the truth?swear allegiance (=promise to be loyal to a country): · New citizens are asked to swear allegiance during the citizenship ceremony.
to firmly promise something, especially to yourself - used especially in literature: vow to do something: · Ben vowed to avenge his mother's death.vow (that): · Daley vowed that the Police Department would be reformed.
to promise that something will happen or be provided, because you are going to make sure of this: · The king had guaranteed our safety on our journey.guarantee (that): · We guarantee that you won't lose your jobs when the company is taken over.· I can't guarantee the plan will work, but I'll give it a try.guarantee somebody something (=guarantee to give someone something): · The first emigrants to Canada were guaranteed 200 acres of land each.
to promise to do something that will take a long time or involve a lot of effort: · Young people still need to learn how to commit to a job and have goals for themselves.commit to to do something: · The organization needs volunteers who can commit to work four hours a week.
to publicly or officially promise to give help, support, or money to an organization, group, or person: pledge to do something: · Many rock stars have pledged to support the campaign to save the rainforests.pledge something to somebody: · The government has pledged £500,000 worth of aid to the drought- stricken area.pledge support/money/help etc: · Britain has pledged £1.3 million to the UN for refugee work.· The U.S. has pledged aid to the country.pledge allegiance (=promise to be loyal to a country): · Should new citizens of Canada pledge allegiance to the queen of Great Britain?
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES a solemn vow
1to make a serious promise to yourself or someone else SYN promisevow to do something (=break a serious or formal promise)· He accused her of breaking her marriage vows.
(=promise to take revenge)· His supporters vowed revenge for his death.
a solemn vow Supporters have vowed to continue the protest until Adams is released.vow (that) I vowed that I would never drink again.► see thesaurus at promise2formal to make a religious promise that you will do something for God, the church etc