- [countable] a statement that tells somebody that you will definitely do or not do something
- to make/keep/fulfil/break a promise
- You haven't gone back on your promise, have you?
- He simply broke every single promise he ever made me.
- The minister was under attack for a series of broken promises.
- promise to do something She kept her promise to visit her aunt regularly.
- He fulfilled a campaign promise to end the war.
- promise to somebody He had now to deliver on his promises to the Canadian electorate.
- promise from/by somebody These are empty promises from a party not in a position to honour them.
- It is unlikely that these laws will be changed, despite promises by the Prime Minister.
- promise of something The government failed to keep its promise of lower taxes.
- They were lured by government promises of either money or other benefits.
- promise (that…) Do I have your promise that you won't tell anyone about this?
Extra Examples- I try not to make promises that I can't keep.
- I won't be late. That's a promise!
- I'll consider it, but I make no promises.
- Politicians should be held to their promises.
- She had obviously forgotten her promise to call me.
- They've made all sorts of promises about reforming the health system.
- We extracted a promise from them that they would repay the money by May.
- He repeated his promise that there would be extra money for schools.
- You gave me your promise I could use the car tonight.
- promises of support
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- rash
- broken
- …
- give somebody
- make (somebody)
- hold out
- …
- ring
- promise about
- promise of
- [uncountable] a sign that somebody/something will be successful synonym potential
- Her work shows great promise.
- Their research holds considerable promise.
- He failed to fulfil his early promise.
- Their future was full of promise.
- promise for something Stem cell research offers real promise for the treatment of currently incurable diseases.
Extra ExamplesTopics Successb2- She showed great promise as a runner.
- a pianist of promise
- The year began so full of promise, and ended in disappointment.
- This new venture holds great promise for the future.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- enormous
- great
- …
- hold
- show
- fulfil/fulfill
- …
- of promise
- promise as
- full of promise
- [uncountable, singular] promise of something a sign, or a reason for hope that something may happen, especially something good
- The day dawned bright and clear, with the promise of warm, sunny weather.
- The dog approached, attracted by the promise of food.
- Organic food seems to hold out the promise of healthy living.
Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin promissum ‘something promised’, neuter past participle of promittere ‘put forth, promise’, from pro- ‘forward’ + mittere ‘send’.
Idioms
See promise in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee promise in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englisha lick and a promise
- (informal) the act of performing a task quickly and carelessly, especially of washing or cleaning something quickly
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promise