promised
adj.-
1 expected or predicted (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatesomething that people said would happen and is now expected.
describing an event or outcome that has been predicted or assured by a previous commitment.
ExampleThe promised rain finally arrived late in the afternoon.
ExampleThe promised reforms failed to materialise, leading to widespread disappointment among the electorate who had voted for change.
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2 engaged to be married (adj.) C1 Advanced Literary Archaiccommitted to marry someone or to join a specific group.
under a formal obligation to a future commitment, such as marriage or a religious vocation.
ExampleIn the old story, the princess was promised to a prince from a far country.
ExampleThe young nobleman was promised to the daughter of a rival house as part of a peace treaty between the two families.
Teacher's tipThis sense is mostly found in historical novels or traditional stories; modern speakers use 'engaged' for marriage.
- unattached