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Added 9 October 2026

promise

/ˈpɹɒmɪs/ noun

In Latin: prōmissum, promissiō Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about promise at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future.
Grounds for feeling hopeful about the future.
there is little or no promise that he will recover

verb

Make a promise or commitment.
Promise to undertake or give.
I promise you my best effort
Make a prediction about; tell in advance.
Call the outcome of an election

Origin

From Middle English promis, promisse, borrowed from Old French promesse, from Medieval Latin prōmissa, Latin prōmissum (“a promise”), feminine and neuter past participles of prōmittō (“to send forth, to say beforehand, to promise”), from pro (“forth”) + mittere (“to send”); see mission. Compare admit, commit, permit, etc. Displaced native ġehātan (“to promise”) and ġehāt (“a promise”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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