Meaning of promise In English

• 0 to tell someone that you will certainly do something:

  • [ + to infinitive ] He promised faithfully to call me every week.

  • [ + that ] The government have promised that they'll reduce taxes.

  • [ + (that) ] Promise me (that) you won't tell him.

  • I'll look for some while I'm at the shops but I'm not promising anything.

  • Can I have that book back when you've finished because I've promised it (= I have said I will give it) to Sara.

  • [ + two objects ] Her parents promised her a new car if she passed her exams.

  • I've promised myself a long bath when I get through all this work.

  • [ + speech ] "I'll come round and see you every day," she promised.

  • "I won't do anything dangerous." "You promise?" "I promise."

  • "I won't have time to take you shopping this afternoon." "But you promised!"

• 1 If something promises to be good, exciting, etc. it is expected to be good, exciting, etc.:

  • It promises to be a really exciting game.

• 2 the act of saying that you will certainly do something:

  • I'll put my things away tonight - and that's a promise!

  • I'll try to get back in time, but I'm not making any promises.

  • If I make a promise, I like to keep it.

• 3 the idea that someone or something is likely to develop successfully and that people expect this to happen:

  • His English teacher had written on his report that he showed great promise.

  • As a child I was quite a good dancer, but I didn't fulfil my early promise.

• 4 to state to someone that you will certainly do something:

  • [ T ] We promised the kids (that) we’d take them to the zoo.

  • [ + to infinitive ] She promised to be careful.

• 5 to seem likely:

  • [ + to infinitive ] The new movie promises to be one of the biggest money-makers of all time.

• 6 the likelihood of success or achievement:

  • She shows great promise as a fiction writer.

• 7 a statement that you will certainly do something:

  • I’ll try to get back in time, but I’m not making any promises.

  • He broke his promise to (= said he would but did not) give his art collection to the county museum.