What does "oath" mean?

1. (a formal promise) a serious promise to tell the truth or do a job honestly, often made in public or in court. 2. (a swear word) a rude or offensive word used when someone is angry.

How do you use "oath"?

In modern English, 'curse' or 'swear word' is much more common than 'oath' for this meaning.

oath

US //ˈoʊθ// UK //ˈəʊθ// oath

1 a formal promise (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

a serious promise to tell the truth or do a job honestly, often made in public or in court.

a solemn attestation of truth or a pledge of future conduct, typically involving a formal ceremony or legal setting.

Example

The witness had to take an oath to tell the whole truth before the trial started.

Example

Before assuming his duties, the newly elected official took a formal oath of office, swearing to uphold the constitution and serve the public interest.
2 a swear word (n.)
C2 Proficiency Literary Archaic

a rude or offensive word used when someone is angry.

a profane or offensive expression; a curse word used to express strong emotion.

Example

He let out a loud oath when he accidentally dropped the heavy box on his foot.

Example

The sailor muttered a string of angry oaths under his breath as the storm battered the ship's hull.

Usage

In modern English, 'curse' or 'swear word' is much more common than 'oath' for this meaning.

Teacher's tip

This sense is largely literary or archaic; modern speakers rarely use 'oath' to mean a swear word in everyday conversation.
- curse
- profanity
- expletive

Origin

From Middle English ooth, oth, ath, from Old English āþ (“oath”), from Proto-West Germanic aiþ (“oath”), from Proto-Germanic aiþaz (“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”).