What does "vow" mean?

1. (a solemn promise) a serious promise to do something or to live in a certain way. 2. (marriage promise) the formal promises two people make to each other during a wedding. 3. (to promise solemnly) to make a very serious promise to yourself or others.

How do you use "vow"?

often followed by 'to' and a verb, or a 'that' clause.

vow

n. · v.

US //ˈvaʊ// UK //vˈaʊ// vow

1 a solemn promise (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a serious promise to do something or to live in a certain way.

a solemn promise or pledge, especially one made to a deity or a religious order.

Example

The monks took a vow of silence and did not speak for the entire year.

Example

Upon entering the monastery, the novices took a formal vow of poverty, renouncing all personal possessions in favour of communal living.
2 marriage promise (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the formal promises two people make to each other during a wedding.

the solemn promises exchanged between partners during a marriage ceremony.

Example

They wrote their own wedding vows to make the ceremony more personal.

Example

The couple stood before their families to exchange their marriage vows, promising to support one another through all future hardships.
- marriage oath

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3 to promise solemnly (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to make a very serious promise to yourself or others.

to make a solemn or formal promise; often used with a following infinitive or 'that' clause.

Example

After the accident, he vowed to never drive while tired again.

Example

The candidate vowed that she would reform the tax system within her first hundred days in office, despite significant opposition from her own party.

Usage

often followed by 'to' and a verb, or a 'that' clause.

Origin

Inherited from Middle English vowe, voue, that from Old French vut, in turn from Latin vōtum (“a promise, dedication, vow”), from vovēre (“to promise, vow”). Not related to avow. Doublet of vote.