swearing

From the verb swear: (⇒ conjugate)

swearing is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

swear /swɛr/   v., swore/swɔr/  sworn/swɔrn/  swear•ing. 

1. to make a solemn statement, promise, or declaration by some sacred being or object, as a deity or the Bible: [no object]
   [usually: not: be + ~-ing] He swore on the Bible.
   [~ + (that) clause]
   He swore (that) he would tell the truth.
   [~ + to + verb]
   You swore to tell the truth.
2. to use obscene or profane language: [no object]
   He swore viciously when the driver cut him off.
   [~ + at + object]
   He swore at the driver who cut him off.
   [used with quotations]
   "That's all I damn well need!'' he swore.
3. to bind or make (someone) promise by an oath:
   [~ + object + to + object] They swore her to secrecy.
4. swear by, [usually: not: be + ~-ing* ~ + by + object]
   • to name (a sacred being or object) as one's witness:
     I swear by my mother's grave that what I'm telling you is true.
   • to have great confidence in;
     trust in:
     Whenever he has a cold he swears by this mixture of tea, lemon juice, and honey.
5. swear in, to admit to office or service by administering an oath: [~ + in + object]
   The Chief Justice swore in the President.
   [~ + object + in]
   to swear him in.
6. swear off, [~ + off + object] to promise (oneself) to give up (something):
   He said he had sworn off drugs and alcohol.
7. Law swear out, [~ + out + object] to secure (a warrant for arrest) by making an accusation under oath:
   to swear out a warrant for his arrest.

swear•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

swear  (swâr), v., swore or (Archaic) sware;
sworn;
swear•ing. 
v.i. 

1. to make a solemn declaration or affirmation by some sacred being or object, as a deity or the Bible.
2. to bind oneself by oath.
3. Law to give evidence or make a statement on oath.
4. to use profane oaths or language:
   Don't swear in front of the children.

v.t. 

5. to declare, affirm, attest, etc., by swearing by a deity, some sacred object, etc.
6. to affirm, assert, or say with solemn earnestness.
7. to promise or undertake on oath or in a solemn manner;
   vow.
8. Law to testify or state on oath:
   He swore it on the witness stand.
9. to take (an oath), as in order to give solemnity or force to a declaration, promise, etc.
10. to bind by an oath:
    to swear someone to secrecy.
11. swear by:
    • to name (a sacred being or thing) as one's witness or guarantee in swearing.
    • Informal Terms to have great confidence in;
      rely on:
      He swears by his dentist.
    • to have certain knowledge of:
      I thought I saw him leaving, but I couldn't swear by it.
12. swear in, to admit to office or service by administering an oath:
    A new president will be sworn in today.
13. swear off, to promise or resolve to give up something, esp. intoxicating beverages.
14. Law swear out, to secure (a warrant for arrest) by making an accusation under oath.

• bef. 900; Middle English sweren, Old English swerian; cognate with German schwören, Old Norse sverja; akin to Gothic swaran to swear; see answer

swear′er, n. 
swear′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. declare, affirm, avow.
• 3. depose, testify.
• 4. imprecate. See curse. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

swear / swɛə/ verb (swears, swearing, swore, sworn)

1. to declare or affirm (a statement) as true, esp by invoking a deity, etc, as witness
2. (followed by by) to invoke (a deity, etc) by name as a witness or guarantee to an oath
3. to trust implicitly; have complete confidence (in)
4. (intransitive) often followed by at: to curse, blaspheme, or use swearwords
5. (when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to promise solemnly on oath; vow
6. (transitive) to assert or affirm with great emphasis or earnestness
7. (intransitive) to give evidence or make any statement or solemn declaration on oath
8. to take an oath in order to add force or solemnity to (a statement or declaration)

noun

1. a period of swearing

Etymology: Old English swerian; related to Old Norse sverja, Gothic swaran, Old Frisian swera, German schwören

ˈswearer noun