1a declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen:what happened to all those firm promises of support? [with infinitive]:I did not keep my promise to go home early
[in singular] an indication that something is likely to occur:dawn came with the promise of fine weather
2 [mass noun] the quality of potential excellence:he showed great promise even as a junior officer
ზმნა
Universal
1 [reporting verb] assure someone that one will definitely do something or that something will happen: [with infinitive]:he promised to forward my mail [with clause]:she made him promise that he wouldn’t do it again [with direct speech]:‘I’ll bring it straight back,’ she promised [with two objects]:he promised her the job
[with object] archaic pledge (someone, especially a woman) to marry someone else; betroth:I’ve been promised to him for years
2 [with object] give good grounds for expecting (a particular occurrence):forthcoming concerts promise a feast of music [with infinitive]:it promised to be a night that all would remember
announce (something) as being expected to happen:forecasters were promising a record snowfall in Boston [with two objects]:we’re promised more winter weather tonight
(promise oneself) contemplate the pleasant expectation of:he tidied up the sitting room, promising himself an early night
I promise (or I promise you)
informal used for emphasis, especially so as to reassure, encourage, or threaten someone:oh, I’m not joking, I promise you
on a promise
informal confidently assured of something, especially of having sexual intercourse:a shop where Tom and I are on a promise with the girls serving there
promise (someone) the earth (or moon)
make extravagant promises to someone that are unlikely to be fulfilled:interactive technology titillates, promises the earth but delivers nothing
promises, promises
informal used to indicate that the speaker is sceptical about someone’s stated intention to do something.
