oath

Meaning

1. A solemn pledge or promise that invokes a deity, a ruler, or another entity (not necessarily present) to attest the truth of a statement or sincerity of one's desire to fulfill a contract or promise.
2. A statement or promise which is strengthened (affirmed) by such a pledge.
3. A light, irreverent or insulting appeal to a deity or other entity.
4. A curse, a curse word.

vow

pledge

oath of allegiance

swear-word

declaration of intention

solemn promise

break a promise

four-letter Anglo-Saxon word

prornise

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈəʊθ/

From Middle English ooth, oth, ath, from Old English āþ (“oath”), from Proto-West Germanic *aiþ (“oath”), from Proto-Germanic *aiþaz (“oath”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁óytos (“oath”). Cognate with Scots aith, athe (“oath”), North Frisian ith, iss (“oath”), Saterland Frisian Eed (“oath”), West Frisian eed (“oath”), Dutch eed (“oath”), German Eid (“oath”), Swedish ed (“oath”), Icelandic eið (“oath”), Latin ūtor (“make use of, employ, avail”, verb), Old Irish óeth (“oath”).