oath
A serious promise, often made in court or at a ceremony, to tell the truth or do something important.
A solemn promise, often made in a legal, official, or ceremonial context, to tell the truth or to faithfully carry out a duty.
A bad word that people say when they are angry or shocked.
A word or phrase that is considered offensive, used to express strong feelings such as anger or surprise.
- Base: oath
- Plural: oaths
oath of office
1formal job promise
A serious promise made when starting an important job to do it well and honestly.
- The judge took the oath of office before beginning her term.
- The new governor recited the oath of office at the inauguration.
swear an oath
1state a solemn promise aloud
To say a serious promise out loud, often in court or at a ceremony.
- He swore an oath to uphold the law.
- They swore an oath of allegiance at the ceremony.
take an oath
1make a formal promise
To make a serious and formal promise, usually in court or at a ceremony.
- All witnesses must take an oath before testifying.
- The mayor took an oath of office on Monday.
oath of allegiance
1formal loyalty promise
A serious promise to be loyal to a country or leader.
- Immigrants must take an oath of allegiance when becoming citizens.
- The new citizens took an oath of allegiance in front of the judge.
- The soldiers took an oath of allegiance before deployment.
- Soldiers must take an oath of allegiance before they receive their uniforms.
- Breaking an oath of allegiance was once seen as a serious crime.