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 also true, except to return to occupied France. - Occupied France? - Under safe conduct from me. Of what value is that? Remember what German guarantees have been worth in the past. There are only two other alternatives. What are they? French authorities may find a reason to (..)
    1942 Casablanca