swear

UK /ˈswɛə(ɹ)/US /ˈswɛɚ/

verb 6
adjective 5
noun 2
forms 16
phrases 7

verb6

•
To take an oath, to promise intensely, solemnly, and/or with legally binding effect.
- The knight swore not to return to the palace until he had found the treasure.
•
to say rude words
- An Australian was once appointed on contract, but he swore too much. — 1956
•
To promise intensely that something is true; to strongly assert.
- I swear I don't know what you're talking about.
- My little brother is such a pest, I swear.
•
To take an oath that an assertion is true.
- The witness swore that the person she had seen running out of the bank was a foot shorter than the accused.
•
To administer an oath to (a person).
- Let the witness be sworn.
(Scotland, Northern-England) To be lazy; rest for a short while during working hours.

adjective5

(Scotland, Northern-England) Heavy.
•
(Scotland, Northern-England) Dull; lazy; slow.
- Rise up gueedewife, an dinna be sweer, / B'soothan, b'soothan, / An deal yir chirity t' the peer, / An awa b'mony a toon. — 1881
•
(Scotland, Northern-England) Reluctant; unwilling.
- But faith, to glump ye I'd be sweer / I wish ye luck o' this new year — 1805
(Scotland, Northern-England) Top-heavy; too high.
•
(Scotland, Northern-England) Niggardly.
- For if my Pen shall turn as Sweir's their Purse / I fear this is the last I'll write in Verse — 1714

noun2

•
A swear word.
- You might think it funny to hear this Kanaka girl come out with a big swear. No such thing. There was no swearing in her — no, nor anger; she was beyond anger, and meant the word simple and serious. — 1892
(Scotland, Northern-England) A lazy time; a short rest during working hours (especially field labour); a siesta.

forms

sweared · sweared · sware · swore · swarest · sworest · sworn · yswore · swearing · sweareth · swears · swearest · more swear · swearer · most swear · swearest

Phrases with swear