Standard Lemma guide

vouchsafe

verb · 4 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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  • General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /ˌvaʊt͡ʃˈseɪf/
  • Canada: [ˌvʌʊtʃˈseɪf]
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -eɪf

1

verb

Meaning 1

To graciously give, to condescendingly grant a right, benefit, outcome, etc.; to deign to acknowledge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: vouch

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To receive or accept in condescension.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To disclose or divulge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • She vouchsafed to me that she regretted ever marrying him.
  • What have the gods told you? What have you foreseen? The gods have vouchsafed me nothing, told me nothing.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

grant in a condescending manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: allow, grant

History

Etymology

From vouch + safe, written as two words in Middle English and early Modern English.

Across languages

Translations

18 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: благоволявам (blagovoljavam) — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Dutch: genadig toestaan — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Dutch: vergunnen — Condescendingly grant a right
  • French: accorder de manière clémente — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Georgian: ბოძება (boʒeba) — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Georgian: მიცემა (micema) — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Georgian: აღიარება (aɣiareba) — Condescendingly grant a right
  • German: gewähren — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Greek: αξιώνω (axióno) — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Italian: ottriare — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Polish: zaszczycać — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Polish: zaszczycić — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Portuguese: permitir — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Russian: удоста́ивать (udostáivatʹ) — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Russian: удосто́ить (udostóitʹ) — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Turkish: bahşetmek — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Turkish: ihsan etmek — Condescendingly grant a right
  • Turkish: lütfetmek — Condescendingly grant a right