oath

[əʊθ]

oath Definition

a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior.

Using oath: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "oath" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    He took an oath to tell the truth in court.

  • Example

    The president-elect will take the oath of office on January 20th.

  • Example

    I swore an oath of allegiance to my country when I joined the military.

oath Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using oath

  • to use a lot of bad language

    Example

    When he's angry, he swears like a trooper.

  • having sworn to tell the truth, especially in a court of law

    Example

    The witness testified under oath that he saw the defendant commit the crime.

  • break one's oath

    to fail to keep a promise or pledge that one has made, especially one that is considered sacred or binding

    Example

    He broke his oath of loyalty to his country by selling state secrets to a foreign government.

Phrases with oath

  • a pledge not to reveal confidential information

    Example

    Before starting the job, she had to sign an oath of secrecy.

  • a pledge to be faithful and devoted to a person, group, or cause

    Example

    The soldiers took an oath of loyalty to their commander.

  • to make a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior

    Example

    Before testifying in court, witnesses must take an oath to tell the truth.

Origins of oath

from Old English 'āð', meaning 'a swearing, oath'

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Summary: oath in Brief

The term 'oath' [əʊθ] refers to a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior. It is commonly used in legal and military contexts, such as 'He took an oath to tell the truth in court.' 'Oath' extends into phrases like 'oath of secrecy,' and idioms like 'swear like a trooper,' denoting excessive use of bad language.

How do native speakers use this expression?