surety

Meaning

1. (countable, uncountable) Certainty.
2. (countable, uncountable) That which makes sure; that which confirms; ground of confidence or security.
3. (countable, uncountable) A promise to pay a sum of money in the event that another person fails to fulfill an obligation.
4. (countable, uncountable) One who undertakes to pay money or perform other acts in the event that his principal fails therein.
5. (countable, uncountable) A substitute; a hostage.
6. (countable, uncountable) Evidence; confirmation; warrant.

Synonyms

security

bail

guarantor

guarantee

certainty

bondsman

bond

sureness

warranty

warranter

hostage

bailsman

assurance

sponsor

guaranty

collateral

assuredness

certitude

pledge

voucher

warrantor

safety

hallmark

deposit

insurance

a cautioner

positiveness

positivity

reassurance

recognizance

reference

safeness

safety lock

secureness

confidence

sponsion

acceptor

sponsorship

stability

cautioner

bonding company

warrant

bailer

sureship

aplomb

sartainty

forfeit

firmness

earnest

determinateness

Translations

seguridad

fiador

Bürgschaft

caution

garantía

garantie

garant

segurança

ασφάλεια

cauzione

fideiussore

Sicherheit

sécurité

fianza

borg

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈʃʊəɹɪti/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: surete

Cognate with French: sûreté

In summary

From Middle English surete, attested since the early 1300s in the sense "guarantee, promise, pledge, assurance", from Anglo-Norman seurté/Old French seurté with the same meaning (whence modern French sûreté), from Latin sēcūritās. Equivalent to sure + -ty. The senses "security, safety, stability" and "certainy" are attested since the late 1300s. "One who undertakes to pay if another does not" is from the early 1400s. Doublet of security.