pledge

CEFRC1

/plɛd͡ʒ/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A serious promise to do something.

  2. 02

    verb

    To make a serious promise.

Examples

  • I give my pledge that I will quit smoking.

  • It was told me under pledge of secrecy.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
4
Synonyms
4

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. To deposit something as a security; to pawn.

  2. To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.

verb

Extra meaning

  1. To make a solemn promise (to do something).

More examples

In context

  • pledge allegiance to the flag

  • Reach me my golden cup that stands by thee, And pledge me in it first for courtesy.

  • Mr. Biden unveiled the pledge at a White House climate summit for world leaders, declaring that the United States is ready to reclaim a leadership role on climate change.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The politician made a solemn blank to cut taxes if elected.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English plege, from Anglo-Norman plege, from Old French plege (Modern French pleige) from Medieval Latin plevium, plebium, from plebiō (“to pledge”), from Frankish *plehan (“to pledge; to support; to guarantee”). Akin to Old High German pflegan (“to take care of, be accustomed to”), Old Saxon plegan (“to vouch for”), Old English plēon (“to risk, endanger”). More at plight.