oath
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The witness had to take an oath to tell the whole truth before the trial started.”
In context“Before assuming his duties, the newly elected official took a formal oath of office, swearing to uphold the constitution and serve the public interest.”
Synonyms - 02 C2 Proficiency
a rude or offensive word used when someone is angry.
a profane or offensive expression; a curse word used to express strong emotion.
Simple“He let out a loud oath when he accidentally dropped the heavy box on his foot.”
In context“The sailor muttered a string of angry oaths under his breath as the storm battered the ship's hull.”
UsageIn modern English, 'curse' or 'swear word' is much more common than 'oath' for this meaning.
Teacher's tipThis sense is largely literary or archaic; modern speakers rarely use 'oath' to mean a swear word in everyday conversation.
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.