swear
gb/swˈɛɹ/ us/swˈɛɹ/
B1
English
~ 1200
káromkodik, megesküszik, esküt tesz, váltig állít, esküszik
VERB
B1
INFORMAL
1
káromkodik
B1
Usage pattern:
to swear [at someone/about something]
He started to swear when he saw the damage to his car.
Káromkodni kezdett, amikor meglátta, hogy megsérült az autója.
Please don't swear in front of the children.
Kérlek, ne káromkodj a gyerekek előtt.
She swore at the driver who cut her off.
I heard him swear under his breath when he dropped his phone.
Learner examples
He swore when he hit his hand.
Káromkodott, amikor beütötte a kezét.
Do not swear in class.
Ne káromkodj az órán.
She swore at the man.
He swore when the glass broke.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'swear' (to use bad language) with 'swear' (to make a promise). Context decides the meaning.
Meaning
Use offensive language
Collocations
swear loudly
|swear at
|swear constantly
|swear under breath
Synonyms
curse (Often interchangeable, but 'curse' can also imply wishing harm on someone.)
Antonyms
praise (Opposite in that it expresses positive or kind words instead of offensive ones.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say bad or rude words that can upset people.
To utter words that are considered rude, offensive, or obscene.
VERB
B1
2
megesküszik
B1
esküt tesz
B2
Usage pattern:
to swear [to do something/that something is true]
He swore to return the money by Friday.
Megesküdött, hogy péntekig visszaadja a pénzt.
She swore she had never seen him before.
Megesküdött, hogy korábban soha nem látta őt.
The witness swore to tell the truth in court.
I swear I'll never lie to you again.
Learner examples
I swear I will help you.
Megesküszöm, hogy segítek neked.
He swore to tell the truth.
Esküt tett, hogy az igazat mondja.
She swore she did not take it.
They swear to be friends forever.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this only means using bad language, but it can also mean making a serious promise.
Meaning
Make a serious promise
Collocations
swear an oath
|swear allegiance
|swear to tell the truth
Synonyms
vow ('Vow' is more formal and often used in ceremonial contexts like weddings.)
Antonyms
break a promise (Represents failing to keep one's word, the opposite of swearing to do something.)
Themes
law
|relationships
|communication
|religion
Definition
To make a strong promise to tell the truth or do something.
To state strongly and seriously that you will do something or that something is true, often invoking something sacred as a witness.
VERB
B2
3
váltig állít
B2
esküszik
B1
Usage pattern:
to swear [that something is true]
I swear I've seen that man before.
Esküszöm, hogy láttam már azt a férfit.
She swears she left her keys on the table.
Váltig állítja, hogy az asztalon hagyta a kulcsait.
He swore it was an accident.
Learner examples
I swear it is true.
Esküszöm, hogy igaz.
She swears she saw you.
Váltig állítja, hogy látott téged.
He swears he is right.
Meaning
Strongly assert truth
Collocations
swear blind
|swear up and down
Synonyms
insist ('Insist' can be less emotional and more factual than 'swear'.)
Antonyms
deny (Means to state that something is not true, the opposite of asserting it strongly.)
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say you are sure something is true.
To declare with great emphasis that something is true, often based on personal conviction or experience.
Grammar
Dictionary form
swear
IPA
GB/swˈɛɹ/
US/swˈɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
swear (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (swear)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: swear
- 3rd Person Singular: swears
- Present Participle: swearing
- Past: swore
- Past Participle: sworn
Word family
Forms
swears
verb
swearing
verb
swore
verb
sworn
verb
Core family
swearword
noun
Advanced or less common
forswear
verb
Highlights
- Irregular past: swore Verb
- Irregular past participle: sworn Verb
Expressions
swear by
1/swˈɛɹ bˈaɪ/
phrasal verb
informal
Trust strongly in something's value
To believe something is very good or works very well.
Examples
- My grandmother swears by honey and lemon for a sore throat.
- He swears by this brand of running shoes.
swear in
3/swˈɛɹ ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Administer an oath for office
To officially make someone start their job by having them make a formal promise.
Examples
- The new mayor was sworn in yesterday.
- They will swear in the witnesses before the trial starts.
swear off
2/swˈɛɹ ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
informal
Stop doing something harmful
To promise not to do something bad for you again.
Examples
- After getting sick, he swore off junk food for good.
- She has sworn off smoking since last year.