a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
"I promise I will finish the report before tomorrow morning."
an oath or affirmation; a vow
"Before taking office, he swore his solemn promise to serve the people without fear or favor."
In plain English: A promise is a serious statement where you say you will definitely do something or keep your word.
"He broke his promise to meet us for dinner."
Usage: Use "promise" as a noun to refer to a specific commitment or assurance that something will happen or that someone will do something. Avoid using it to describe the act of making a pledge itself, which should instead be called "promising."
make a prediction about; tell in advance
"Call the outcome of an election"
give grounds for expectations
"The new results were promising"
"The results promised fame and glory"
To commit to (some action or outcome), or to assure (a person) of such commitment; to make an oath or vow.
"She promised her grandmother that she would visit every Sunday without fail."
In plain English: To promise is to say you will definitely do something.
"She promised to help me with my homework after school."
Usage: Use promise when you intend to guarantee that a specific action will happen or to reassure someone of your future behavior. Avoid using it for general predictions, as it implies a binding personal commitment rather than just a likely outcome.
The word "promise" entered English in the Middle Ages from Old French and Latin, where it originally described something sent forth or declared beforehand. This foreign term eventually replaced the native Old English words for making a pledge.