oath

[ ohth ]

/ oʊθ /

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noun, plural oaths

[ohthz, ohths]. /oʊðz, oʊθs/.

a solemn appeal to a deity, or to some revered person or thing, to witness one's determination to speak the truth, to keep a promise, etc.: to testify upon oath.

a statement or promise strengthened by such an appeal.

a formally affirmed statement or promise accepted as an equivalent of an appeal to a deity or to a revered person or thing; affirmation.

the form of words in which such a statement or promise is made.

an irreverent or blasphemous use of the name of God or anything sacred.

any profane expression; curse; swear word: He slammed the door with a muttered oath.

OTHER WORDS FOR oath

2 vow, pledge.

5 profanity.

See synonyms for oath on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about oath

take an oath, to swear solemnly; vow.

Origin of oath

First recorded before 900; Middle English oth, Old English āth; cognate with Gothic aiths, Old Norse eidhr, German Eid

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH oath

oaf, oath

Words nearby oath

-oate, oaten, oater, Oates, oat grass, oath, oatmeal, oats, OAU, Oaxaca, Ob

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use oath in a sentence

Seven remained loyal to their oath, while only one, Lee, betrayed his country.
A Southerner who abandoned the Lost Cause|John Reeves|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
Until there’s a new organizing resolution, folks are stuck parked in their current committee assignments — or on the outside looking in, as is the case for the three newcomers to the Senate who took their oaths on Wednesday.
Why Mitch McConnell Is Filibustering to Protect the Filibuster|Philip Elliott|January 22, 2021|Time
Then Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth administered the oath of office for Adams.
At the nation’s first presidential transfer of power, George Washington was ‘radiant’|Gillian Brockell|January 19, 2021|Washington Post
It was very difficult to see veterans who had taken an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution involved in that attack.
After a year of pain and strife, volunteers see MLK Day as a way to come together|Joe Heim|January 18, 2021|Washington Post

“I hope people will not view this as a political attack, but really standing for the integrity of the body and that oaths do mean something,” said Bell, a retired Air Force major.
Democrats seek censure of Virginia state senator who praised Capitol rioters|Laura Vozzella|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”
Are Police Stealing People’s Property?|Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This Oath Keeper was there for the protest, which had yet to materialize, and had a few friends joining him, he told me.
NYC’s Garner Protesters vs. Pro-Cop Protesters|Jacob Siegel|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But given their anti-government rhetoric, the Oath Keepers' presence could inflame tensions further.
The Oath Keepers Patrol Rooftops in Ferguson—The Facts Behind This ‘Mysterious’ Militia Group|John Avlon|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Repeating an embellished story before a grand jury while under oath is an entirely different matter.
There’s No Conspiracy in Ferguson’s Secret Jury|Paul Callan|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The oath, according to the King James Bible, requires one to “do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”
The Supreme Court Is Weighing Corporate Power Yet Again|Zephyr Teachout|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Garnache," came the other's crisp, metallic voice, and the name had a sound as of an oath on his lips.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
“Steed”—Jefferson rode on horseback to the Capitol to take his oath of office as President.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
Then he held down a hand to her, bade her set her foot on his, and called with an oath to Rabecque to lend her his assistance.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Garnache's sword rasped out, an oath rattled from his clenched teeth, and he fell on guard.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Whatever was his motive, he persisted in his resolution, and to the end was faithful to his oath.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for oath

oath

/ (əʊθ) /

noun plural oaths (əʊðz)

a solemn pronouncement to affirm the truth of a statement or to pledge a person to some course of action, often involving a sacred being or object as witnessRelated adjective: juratory

the form of such a pronouncement

an irreverent or blasphemous expression, esp one involving the name of a deity; curse

on oath, upon oath or under oath

under the obligation of an oath
law having sworn to tell the truth, usually with one's hand on the Bible

take an oath to declare formally with an oath or pledge, esp before giving evidence

Word Origin for oath

Old English āth; related to Old Saxon, Old Frisian ēth, Old High German eid

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

oath

OTHER WORDS FOR oath

Idioms about oath

Origin of oath

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH oath

Words nearby oath

Words related to oath

How to use oath in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for oath

Word Origin for oath