Promising Means Both Giving Your Word and Showing Potential
A promise is a commitment to do something. The adjective promising has drifted to mean likely to succeed.
A promise is an undertaking that you will or will not do something. The adjective moved sideways: *promising* no longer means making promises but showing signs of future success. A promising young player has not promised anything to anyone.
- An undertaking to do something. *He kept his promise.*
- To undertake. *I promise to call.*
- Signs of future success. *A player of great promise.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | promise | A firm promise. |
| Plural | promises | Broken promises. |
| Verb | promise | Promise me. |
| Adjective | promising | A promising start. |
| Related | promissory | A promissory note. |
How it is used in a sentence
- She kept every promise she made.Keep or break a promise.
- The results show real promise.Potential.
- A promissory note is a written commitment to pay.Finance.
Kinds of commitment
- Promise — a personal undertaking
- Vow — a solemn promise, often ceremonial
- Oath — a promise with an appeal to something sacred or to the law
- Pledge — a formal promise, often public
- Guarantee — a promise backed by an obligation to make good
From Latin *promissum*, something promised, from *promittere*, to send forth, from *pro* and *mittere*, to send — the same verb as in *mission* and *transmit*.
Are promises legally binding?
Generally not on their own. A contract usually needs something given in return, though there are exceptions where someone has relied on a promise to their cost.
Promise or guarantee?
A promise is a statement of intent. A guarantee carries an obligation to put things right if it is not met.