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Definition of promises - 2 dictionary results
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prom⋅ise

  [prom-is] noun, verb, -ised, -is⋅ing.
Use promises in a Sentence
–noun
1. a declaration that something will or will not be done, given, etc., by one: unkept political promises.
2. an express assurance on which expectation is to be based: promises that an enemy will not win.
3. something that has the effect of an express assurance; indication of what may be expected.
4. indication of future excellence or achievement: a writer who shows promise.
5. something that is promised.
–verb (used with object)
6. to engage or undertake by promise (usually used with an infinitive or a clause as object): She promised to go tomorrow.
7. to make a promise of (some specified act, gift, etc.): to promise help.
8. to make a promise of something to (a specified person): Promise me that you will come.
9. to afford ground for expecting: The sky promised a storm.
10. to engage to join in marriage.
11. to assure (used in emphatic declarations): I won't go there again, I promise you that!
–verb (used without object)
12. to afford ground for expectation (often fol. by well or fair): His forthcoming novel promises well.
13. to make a promise.
Origin:
1375–1425; (n.) late ME promis(se) < ML prōmissa, for L prōmissum, n. use of neut. ptp. of prōmittere to promise, lit., to send forth, equiv. to prō- pro- 1 + mittere to send; (v.) late ME promisen, deriv. of the n.

Related forms:
prom⋅is⋅a⋅ble, adjective
prom⋅ise⋅ful, adjective
prom⋅is⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
2. word, pledge. 6. pledge, covenant, agree.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To promises
prom·ise   (prŏm'ĭs)   
n.  
    1. A declaration assuring that one will or will not do something; a vow.
    2. Something promised.
  2. Indication of something favorable to come; expectation: a promise of spring in the air.
  3. Indication of future excellence or success: a player of great promise.
v.   prom·ised, prom·is·ing, prom·is·es

v.   tr.
  1. To commit oneself by a promise to do or give; pledge: left but promised to return.
  2. To afford a basis for expecting: thunderclouds that promise rain.
v.   intr.
  1. To make a declaration assuring that something will or will not be done.
  2. To afford a basis for expectation: an enterprise that promises well.

[Middle English promis, from Old French promise, from Medieval Latin prōmissa, alteration of Latin prōmissum, from neuter past participle of prōmittere, to send forth, promise : prō-, forth; see pro-1 + mittere, to send.]
prom'is·er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to declare solemnly that one will follow a particular course of action: promises to write soon; pledged to uphold the law; swore to get revenge; vowed to fight to the finish.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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