What does "promising" mean?

1. (likely to succeed) showing signs that something will be successful or very good in the future. 2. (making a vow) the action of telling someone you will definitely do something. 3. (the act of vowing) the act of making a promise to someone.

promising

adj. · v. · n.

US //ˈpɹɑməsɪŋ// UK //pɹˈɒmɪsɪŋ// promis·ing

1 likely to succeed (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

showing signs that something will be successful or very good in the future.

indicating a high probability of future success or positive development.

Example

The young tennis player had a very promising start to her career.

Example

Initial results from the clinical trial are promising, suggesting that the new treatment may be significantly more effective than existing options.
- unpromising
- hopeless
- bleak
2 making a vow (v.)
A2 Elementary

the action of telling someone you will definitely do something.

the present participle of 'promise', used in continuous tenses to indicate the act of giving an assurance.

Example

He is promising to finish the work by tomorrow morning.

Example

The politician spent the afternoon promising major infrastructure improvements to the local residents in exchange for their support.
- vowing
- guaranteeing

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3 the act of vowing (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the act of making a promise to someone.

the gerund form representing the act of making a solemn or formal declaration.

Example

The promising of gifts is a common tradition during the festival.

Example

The mere promising of reform was no longer enough to satisfy the protesters, who demanded immediate legislative action.
- pledging
- vowing