# surety

/ˈʃʊɹəti/ (US) · /ʃˈɔːɹətˌi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/surety
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. legal guarantee

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a person or organization that promises to pay a debt if the original person fails to do so.

For teachers: a person or entity that takes responsibility for another's performance of an undertaking, such as the payment of a debt.

- The bank required a surety to sign the loan documents before approving the money.
- The defendant was released from custody after his brother agreed to act as surety, pledging his own property as collateral for the bail bond.

Usage: Often used as a countable noun referring to the person, or uncountable referring to the money provided.

### 2. certainty

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

the state of being sure or certain about something.

For teachers: the state of being sure or certain; a formal synonym for certainty or confidence.

- He spoke with such surety that everyone in the room believed his story.
- Despite the chaotic circumstances, she navigated the crisis with a quiet surety that calmed her subordinates and restored order to the department.

### 3. evidence or proof

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Archaic

something that serves as proof or a guarantee that a promise will be kept.

For teachers: something that serves as a security, ground of confidence, or evidence of a commitment.

- The king demanded a hostage as surety that the peace treaty would be honored.
- The ancient custom required the exchange of valuable artifacts as a surety of the alliance between the two warring tribes.

## Examples

- The bank requires a surety for the large loan.
- Before the contract was signed, the contractor had to provide a surety to ensure the project would be completed on time.
- In international trade, a bank acting as a surety provides a financial guarantee that the buyer will pay for the goods, protecting the seller against the risk of non-payment.

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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.