# guarantee

/ˌɡɛɹənˈti/ (US) · /ɡˌæɹɑːntˈiː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/guarantee
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to promise an outcome

verb · CEFR B1

to promise that something will definitely happen or be true.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. to make certain

verb · CEFR B2

to make it certain that something will happen.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. a product warranty

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. an assurance

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. financial security

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The new television comes with a two-year guarantee.
- The contractor provided a written guarantee that the roof would not leak for at least ten years.
- While the manufacturer offers a lifetime guarantee on the hardware, the fine print reveals that this protection does not extend to damage caused by regular wear and tear.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.