swearing

Verb (1)

swear (third-person singular simple present swears, present participle swearing, simple past swore or (archaic) sware, past participle sworn or (nonstandard) swore)

1. (ambitransitive) To take an oath, to promise intensely, solemnly, and/or with legally binding effect.
   • The knight swore not to return to the palace until he had found the treasure.

   Synonyms:

   pledge, vow

2. (transitive) To take an oath that an assertion is true.
   • The witness swore that the person she had seen running out of the bank was a foot shorter than the accused.

   Synonyms:

   depose, affirm, testify

3. (transitive) To promise intensely that something is true; to strongly assert.
   • I swear I don't know what you're talking about.
4. (transitive) To administer an oath to (a person).
   • Let the witness be sworn.
5. (ambitransitive) To use offensive, profane, or obscene language.
   • An Australian was once appointed on contract, but he swore too much.1956, Anthony Burgess, Time for a Tiger (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 38

   Synonyms:

   curse, execrate, turn the air blue

Verb (2)

swear (third-person singular simple present swears, present participle swearing, simple past and past participle sweared)

1. (Northern England, Scotland) To be lazy; rest for a short while during working hours.

   Synonyms:

   laze about, loaf, take it easy

See all 13 meanings of swear