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I UK [ˈprɒmɪs] / US [ˈprɑmɪs] verb [intransitive/transitive]
Word forms "promise":
present tense I/you/we/they promise he/she/it promises present participle promising past tense promised past participle promised
1) to tell someone that you will definitely do something

The police chief promised tougher action against young criminals.

promise to do something:

Peter wished he'd never promised to help them.

promise someone (that):

Promise me you'll be home before dark.

We always promised ourselves that we'd visit Hawaii one day.

promise something to someone/promise someone something:

Relief organizations are promising aid to the country.

as promised (= in the way that had been promised):

She phoned at 9 am, as promised.

promise faithfully (= very strongly):

Ellen promised faithfully not to open her present until her birthday.

2) formal to make it seem likely that something will happen

This evening promises to be a lot of fun.

•

I promise (you) — spoken used for emphasizing that what you are saying is true

I will be there, I promise you.

promise someone the moon/earth — to make a promise that you are unlikely to be able to keep


II UK [ˈprɒmɪs] / US [ˈprɑmɪs] noun
Word forms "promise":
singular promise plural promises
1)
a) [countable] a statement in which you say that something will definitely happen, or you will definitely do something

the party's election promises

promise to:

Audrey remembered her promise to her father that she would work harder.

make/give a promise:

I'll try, but I'm not making any promises!

a promise to do something:

You made a promise to deal with it immediately.

keep a promise:

He swore he would return one day, and he kept his promise.

break a promise:

The army broke its promise to return the country to civilian rule.

b) formal a strong suggestion that something will happen or be given
promise of:

The promise of permanent employment is almost non-existent today.

Settlers supported the king in return for the promise of land.

•

Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with promise
▪  binding, broken, empty, false, firm, solemn, vague
2)
a) [uncountable] signs that someone or something is likely to be successful in the future

Life was hopeful and full of promise.

Her invention failed to fulfil its initial promise.

show promise:

He shows great promise as an interpreter.

hold promise:

This technology holds considerable promise for improving inner city living conditions.

b) literary a sign that something is likely to happen
promise of:

the promise of an early spring

•

Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with promise
▪  early, great, initial, unfulfilled

English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • promise — prom·ise n: a declaration or manifestation esp. in a contract of an intention to act or refrain from acting in a specified way that gives the party to whom it is made a right to expect its fulfillment aleatory promise: a promise (as to compensate …   Law dictionary

  • Promise — Prom ise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Promised}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Promising}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To engage to do, give, make, or to refrain from doing, giving, or making, or the like; to covenant; to engage; as, to promise a visit; to promise a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Promise — Prom ise, a. [F. promesse, L. promissum, fr. promittere, promissum, to put forth, foretell, promise; pro forward, for + mittere to send. See {Mission}. ] [1913 Webster] 1. In general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • promise — vb Promise, engage, pledge, plight, covenant, contract are comparable when they mean to give one s word that one will act in a specified way (as by doing, making, giving, or accepting) in respect to something stipulated. Promise implies a giving… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • promise — [n1] one’s word that something will be done affiance, affirmation, agreement, asseveration, assurance, avowal, betrothal, bond, commitment, compact, consent, contract, covenant, earnest, engagement, espousal, guarantee, insurance, marriage, oath …   New thesaurus

  • promise — ► NOUN 1) an assurance that one will do something or that something will happen. 2) potential excellence. ► VERB 1) make a promise. 2) give good grounds for expecting. 3) (promise oneself) firmly intend …   English terms dictionary

  • promise — [präm′is] n. [ME promis < L promissum < promittere, to send before or forward < pro , forth + mittere, to send: see PRO 2 & MISSION] 1. an oral or written agreement to do or not to do something; vow 2. indication, as of a successful… …   English World dictionary

  • Promise — Prom ise, v. i. [1913 Webster] 1. To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration. [1913 Webster] 2. To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil. [1913 Webster] Will not the ladies… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Promise — steht für: ein Album der englischen Gruppe Sade, siehe Promise (Album) ein Album des US Amerikaners Bruce Springsteen, siehe The Promise einen Fachbegriff aus der Informatik, siehe Future (Programmierung) Diese Seite ist …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • promise — (n.) c.1400, from L. promissum a promise, noun use of neuter pp. of promittere send forth, foretell, promise, from pro before (see PRO (Cf. pro )) + mittere to put, send (see MISSION (Cf. mission)). Ground sense is declaration made about the… …   Etymology dictionary

  • promise — A declaration which binds the person who makes it, either in honor, conscience, or law, to do or forbear a certain specific act, and which gives to the person to whom made a right to expect or claim the performance of some particular thing. A… …   Black's law dictionary

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