guarantee

Definition

  • noun: a usually written promise
  • noun: an assurance for the fulfillment of a condition
  • verb: to undertake to answer for the debt, default, or miscarriage of
  • verb: to make a usually written promise that whatever you are selling, doing, etc., is what you say it is
  • often used in negative constructions
  • synonyms: bible oath, agree, and candle

Examples

  • The software comes with a 'money-back guarantee'. [=a promise that the money you spend on a product will be returned if the product is not good enough]

  • We used our house as a 'guarantee' for the loan. [=we said that the bank could take our house if we did not pay back the loan]

  • There is no 'guarantee' that they will approve the contract. [=there is no way to be sure that they will approve it]

Movie quotes

  • (..) That's how Dad did it. That's how America does it. And it's worked out pretty well so far. Find an excuse to let one of these off the chain, and I personally guarantee you the bad guys won't even want to come out of their caves. For your consideration, the Jericho. I'll be throwing one of these in (..)
    2008 Iron Man
  • (..) - Let me guess. Berkeley? - Brown, actually. Well, Ms. Brown, it's an imperfect world, but it's the only one we've got. I guarantee you, the day weapons are no longer needed to keep the peace, I'll start making bricks and beams for baby hospitals. Rehearse that much? (..)
    2008 Iron Man