vow
gb/vˈaʊ/ us/vˈaʊ/
B2
English
~ 5400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
make a serious, firm promise
To say very strongly that you will do something and really mean it.
Usage pattern:
to vow to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners often use "vow" where simple "promise" is more natural in everyday conversation. "Vow" is usually stronger and used for serious or important decisions. Another common mistake is to say *"vow for do something"* instead of the correct patterns "vow to do something" or "vow that [clause]".
Synonyms
promise (More common and general; does not always carry the same level of seriousness or formality as "vow".)
|
swear (Similar strength, often used when someone is very emotional or wants to sound extremely sincere; can also be informal or legal.)
|
pledge (More formal and often used in public, political, or official contexts.)
Antonyms
renounce (Means to formally give up or reject something, which is the opposite of firmly committing to it.)
Collocations
vow to continue
|vow to fight
|vow never to [do something]
|vow revenge
|vow loyalty
|solemnly vow
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|society
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- After the scandal, she vowed to be more careful about what she posted online.
- He vowed never to drink and drive again after the accident.
- The new president vowed to fight corruption in government.
- They vowed that they would stay friends no matter what happened.
- The company has vowed to reduce its carbon emissions by 50 percent.
Learner examples
- I vowed to call my parents every week.
- She vowed that she would learn English well.
- They vowed never to lie to each other again.
- The mayor vowed to make the city safer.
- He vowed to stop smoking this year.
Noun
B2
entity
2
serious, often formal promise
A strong and serious promise, often for an important or religious reason.
Usage pattern:
to make/take a vow to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"do a vow"* instead of the correct verbs "make a vow" or "take a vow". Another mistake is confusing "vow" with regular, everyday promises; "vow" is usually used for very serious or formal promises, especially in marriage or religion.
Synonyms
pledge (A formal promise, especially in public, politics, or business; "vow" often has a more emotional or religious tone.)
|
oath (A formal promise, especially in legal or official situations; can sound more legalistic than "vow".)
|
commitment (Focuses on the ongoing responsibility or duty rather than the moment of promising.)
Antonyms
refusal (Shows a decision not to promise or commit, which is the opposite of making a vow.)
Collocations
marriage vows
|take a vow
|vow of silence
|break a vow
|solemn vow
|religious vows
Themes
relationships
|religion
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- During the ceremony, they exchanged marriage vows in front of their families.
- He took a vow of silence for one month to focus on meditation.
- The monk made a vow of poverty when he joined the order.
- She broke her vow and returned to social media after just one week.
- Many people make New Year’s vows to change their habits.
Learner examples
- They said their marriage vows in the church.
- He made a vow to help his community.
- She took a vow of silence for three days.
- He broke his vow and started smoking again.
- The priest explained the meaning of their vows.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vow
IPA
GB/vˈaʊ/
US/vˈaʊ/
Syllables & stress
vow (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (vow)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: vow
- Plural: vows
Verb
- Base: vow
- 3rd Person Singular: vows
- Present Participle: vowing
- Past: vowed
Word family
Forms
vows
noun
vowing
verb
vowed
verb
Related words
avow
verb
avowal
noun
Negative and opposite forms
disavow
verb
disavowal
noun
Expressions
break a vow
1/bɹˈeɪk ə vˈaʊ/
fixed phrase
fail to keep a serious promise
To not do what you said in a serious promise you would do.
Examples
- He broke his vow and started drinking again.
- She felt guilty after breaking her vow of silence.
- They accused the politician of breaking his vow to lower taxes.
marriage vows
1/mˈɛɹɪd͡ʒ vˈaʊz/
fixed phrase
formal promises at a wedding
The special, formal promises that two people say to each other in a wedding ceremony.
Examples
- They wrote their own marriage vows to make the ceremony more personal.
- The couple repeated the traditional marriage vows after the officiant.
- She started to cry while saying her marriage vows.
take a vow
1/tˈeɪk ə vˈaʊ/
fixed phrase
formally make a serious promise
To make a strong and serious promise, often in a religious or very important situation.
Examples
- He decided to take a vow to stop gambling.
- Many monks take a vow of poverty when they join the monastery.
- She took a vow never to speak to him again.
vow of silence
1/vˈaʊ əv sˈaɪləns/
fixed phrase
serious promise not to speak
A strong and serious promise not to speak for some time, often for religious, personal, or protest reasons.
Examples
- The monks observed a vow of silence during their retreat.
- As a protest, the students announced a vow of silence for the entire day.
- He jokingly took a vow of silence after his bad joke was not appreciated.
renew your vows
1/ɹɪnˈu jˈʊɹ vˈaʊz/
fixed phrase
repeat marriage promises again
For a married couple to say their marriage promises again in a small ceremony, often after many years.
Examples
- They renewed their vows on their 25th wedding anniversary.
- They renewed their vows on their twentieth wedding anniversary.
- The couple traveled to the beach to renew their vows in a small ceremony.
- The couple plans to renew their vows in a beach ceremony.
- After a difficult year, they decided to renew their vows and start fresh.