Word
assure
Phoneticsas·sure, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈʃʊɹ/
UK/əʃjˈɔː/
Definitions
01to tell someone confidently
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to tell someone that something is definitely true so they stop worrying.
v. to inform someone positively or confidently to remove doubt. Transitive — typically takes a person as the direct object followed by a 'that' clause.
Español:asegurar
“I can assure you that the plane will arrive on time.”
“The doctor sought to assure the patient's family that the procedure was routine and carried minimal risk.”
Usage
Usually follows the pattern: assure + person + that-clause.
Pitfall
I assure that the work is done.
I assure you that the work is done.
The verb 'assure' almost always requires a person as the direct object (the person you are talking to).
Antonyms
02to make certain
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to make sure that something happens or is true.
v. to make certain or secure; to ensure a particular outcome.
“We need to check the locks to assure the safety of the building.”
“The new legislation was designed to assure equal access to healthcare for all citizens regardless of their income level.”
Usage
In this sense, 'ensure' is often more common in modern American English, while 'assure' remains frequent in formal or British contexts.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “assure” in context.
Verb
01. assure someone of
“The doctor tried to assure the patient of the surgery's high success rate.”
verb + noun + prep
02. assure that-clause
“The manager wanted to assure that all safety protocols were strictly followed.”
verb + that-clause
03. rest assured
“You can rest assured that your personal information will remain confidential.”
verb + adj
Adverb
04. calmly assure
“The pilot spoke over the intercom to calmly assure the passengers during the turbulence.”
adv + verb
05. repeatedly assure
“The government repeatedly assured the public that taxes would not rise.”
adv + verb
06. solemnly assure
“He solemnly assured his family that he would return home safely.”
adv + verb
Confusables
Assure is for people, ensure is for outcomes, and insure is for financial protection.
RememberAssure a person; Ensure a result; Insure a house.
Real-World Examples
“Meta, she said, went out of its way to "assure the public that its platforms were safe for kids".” “Or maybe you favor talking to a chatbot who will assure you that you are the most special of all its users.” Etymology
From Old French asseurer (Modern French assurer), from Latin ad- + securus (“secure”). Cognate with Spanish asegurar. Doublet of assecure.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
01. rest assured
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/assure
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0