vow

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈvau̇ How to pronounce vow (audio)
Synonyms of vow
: a solemn promise or assertion
specifically : one by which a person is bound to an act, service, or condition

vow

2 of 4

verb (1)

vowed; vowing; vows

transitive verb

1
: to promise solemnly : swear
2
: to bind or consecrate by a vow

intransitive verb

: to make a vow
vower
ˈvau̇(-ə)r How to pronounce vow (audio)
noun

vow

3 of 4

verb (2)

vowed; vowing; vows

transitive verb

: avow, declare

vower

4 of 4

noun (2)

vow·​er ˈvau̇(ə)r How to pronounce vower (audio)
-au̇ə
plural -s
: one that vows

Synonyms of vow

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Noun (1)

Verb (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of vow in a Sentence

Noun (1) The monks take a vow of silence. The bride and groom exchanged vows. The mayor made a vow to reduce crime. Verb (1) she vowed to love him forever
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Morgan also admits feeling quite nervous to exchange vows in person, but the love of their circle and her wife-to-be calmed her. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026 One item that has raised some eyebrows is a vow to relocate the hand dryer in the men’s restroom at the Crown & Treaty pub in Uxbridge to a more sensible location. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
Taiwan is no stranger to cyberattacks, particularly from neighboring China, which claims the East Asian democracy as its own and has vowed to annex it, by force if necessary. — John Liu, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Tiffany has campaigned largely on issues like affordability, public safety, and education, vowing to freeze property taxes, ban sanctuary cities across the state, and invest in K-12 education. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vow

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English vowe, from Anglo-French vou, from Latin votum, from neuter of votus, past participle of vovēre to vow; akin to Greek euchesthai to pray, vow, Sanskrit vāghat sacrificer

Verb (2)

Middle English, short for avowen

and Noun (2)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vow was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing vow

Rhymes for vow

See All Rhymes for vow

Browse Nearby Words

Vouvray
vow
vowel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vow. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vow

1 of 2 noun
ˈvau̇ How to pronounce vow (audio)
: a solemn promise or statement

vow

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make a vow or as a vow
2
: to bind or make holy by a vow

Legal Definition

vow

1 of 2 noun
: a solemn promise or statement
especially : one by which a person is bound to an act, service, or condition

vow

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to promise solemnly
2
: to bind or commit by a vow

intransitive verb

: to make a vow
vower noun

More from Merriam-Webster on vow

Nglish: Translation of vow for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vow

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