Phrase guide

swear by

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To invoke in an oath; to swear upon.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To trust wholeheartedly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • I swear by my Petit Larousse when it comes to learning French.
  • He swears by cream of tartar to make the meringues stiff.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: vannoa jonkin nimeen — to wholeheartedly trust
  • French: ne jurer que par — to wholeheartedly trust
  • German: auf etwas schwören — to wholeheartedly trust
  • Spanish: poner la mano en el fuego por — to wholeheartedly trust
  • Spanish: jurar por — to wholeheartedly trust