English Reference

Word

guarantee

Phoneticsguar·an·tee, stress on the third syllable

US/ˌɡɛɹənˈti/

UK/ɡˌæɹɑːntˈiː/

Definitions

01to promise an outcome

B1 · Intermediate

v. to promise that something will definitely happen or be true.

v. to provide a formal assurance or promise that a specific condition will be fulfilled or an event will occur.

“The travel agent could not guarantee that the weather would be sunny during our trip.”

“While the investment firm can offer historical data, they cannot guarantee future returns in such a volatile market environment.”

02to make certain

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to make it certain that something will happen.

v. to make an outcome certain or inevitable.

“Winning this final game will guarantee the team a place in the championships.”

“The implementation of these rigorous safety protocols will effectively guarantee a significant reduction in workplace accidents over the coming year.”

Synonyms

03a product warranty

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a written promise from a company to fix a product if it breaks within a certain time.

n. a formal, often written, assurance that a product will meet certain standards of quality or be repaired/replaced if found defective.

“The new refrigerator comes with a five-year guarantee on all parts and labour.”

“The consumer decided to purchase the extended guarantee, providing peace of mind against potential mechanical failure after the manufacturer's initial period expired.”

Synonyms

04an assurance

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. something that makes you sure that a particular thing will happen.

n. a thing that serves as an assurance that a certain condition or event will be fulfilled.

“There is no guarantee of success in this business, even if you work very hard.”

“The treaty provides a diplomatic guarantee that both nations will respect the established maritime borders without further military intervention.”

05financial security

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal · Technical

n. money or property given as a promise that a debt will be paid.

n. a formal pledge, such as a sum of money or property, given as security for the fulfilment of an obligation or debt.

“He used his house as a guarantee for the large business loan he took from the bank.”

“The bank required a personal guarantee from the company directors before approving the credit facility for the new infrastructure project.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “guarantee” in context.

Verb

01. guarantee success

“Hard work alone does not always guarantee success in the competitive music industry.”

verb + noun

02. guarantee that the product

“The manufacturer guarantees that the product will be free from defects for one year.”

verb + that-clause

03. guarantee the safety of passengers

“The airline cannot guarantee the safety of passengers during extreme weather conditions.”

verb + noun + prep + noun

04. personally guarantee the quality

“The chef came to our table to personally guarantee the quality of the ingredients.”

adv + verb

Adverb

05. cannot legally guarantee

“The company cannot legally guarantee a specific return on your investment.”

verb + adv

06. virtually guarantee

“Having a degree from a top university will virtually guarantee you a job interview.”

adv + verb

Real-World Examples

“However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.”
Phys.org 15 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Old French guarantie (perhaps via a later Spanish garante), from the verb guarantir (“to protect, assure, vouch for”), ultimately from Old Frankish warjand, warand (“a warrant”), or from guaranty. Doublet of guaranty and warranty.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

VERB

guarantee(B2)

This entry

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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