pledge
verb · noun
Simple meaning
To make a solemn promise.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
plehjIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈplɛdʒ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
To make a solemn promise (to do something).
transitive
To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.
To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
Give as a guarantee
noun
A solemn promise to do something.
with the
A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.
The personal property so pledged, to be kept until the debt is paid.
An asset or person temporarily handed over to guarantee the fulfilment of something promised, under threat of permanent loss of the thing handed over; surety, security, hostage.
A drinking toast.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Frequency
- Moderately Common
- Typical Use
- Neutral / general English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: To make a solemn promise (to do something).
Used this way, pledge is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It suits considered writing and prepared speech.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Formal and ceremonial
- Usage feel
- Formal and precise
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use pledge
- “I pledge that I will honor my wife.”verb
- “I pledged $10 a month to my favorite radio station.”verb
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Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
A volunteer who records (usually by telephone) contributions pledged in a fund drive.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
Sense: to make a solemn promise (to do something)
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