Related Searches
Nearby Words
Synonyms

avow

 [uh-vou]   Example Sentences Origin

a·vow

   [uh-vou]
verb (used with object)
to declare frankly or openly; own; acknowledge; confess; admit: He avowed himself an opponent of all alliances.
Origin:
1150–1200; Middle English avowen < Old French avoue(r) < Latin advocāre. See advocate

Related forms
a·vow·a·ble, adjective
a·vow·er, noun
re·a·vow, verb (used with object)
un·a·vow·a·ble, adjective
un·a·vow·a·ble·ness, noun
EXPAND
un·a·vow·a·b·ly, adverb
COLLAPSE
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To avow

:10

:09

:08

:07

:06

:05

:04

:03

:02

:01

Avow is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.
to spend time idly; loaf.
LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Example Sentences
  • He does not hesitate to avow that much of what he is and.
  • Both countries publicly avow that they do not want the bad feelings to spiral out of control.
Collins
World English Dictionary
avow (əˈvaʊ)
 
—vb
1.  to state or affirm
2.  to admit openly
3.  rare law to justify or maintain (some action taken)
 
[C13: from Old French avouer to confess, from Latin advocāre to appeal to, call upon; see avouch, advocate]
 
a'vowable
 
—adj
 
a'vowal
 
—n
 
avowed
 
—adj
 
avowedly
 
—adv
 
a'vower
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

avow
early 13c., from O.Fr. avoer "acknowledge, accept, recognize," especially as a protector, from L. advocare (see advocate). A synonym of avouch (q.v.), which tends to contain the more technical, legal aspect of the word. Related: Avowal.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriThesaurus
Dictionary.com, LLC. Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved.
About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT
How many words do you know? FIND OUT