Swear
/swɛər/noun
To make a solemn promise or declaration, or to use offensive language.
Did you know?In Old English, *swerian* meant to take an oath, and the same ancient root also gave English *answer*—originally meaning to swear back in response.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*swer-
“To speak, declare, or answer”
Old English
OE
swerian
“To swear, take an oath”
Old English
OE
andswarian
“To answer, respond in speech”
Middle English
ME
sweren
“To make an oath; later also to curse”
Modern English
English
swear
“To make a solemn promise or declaration; also, to use profane language”