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Vow vs Pledge - What's the difference?

vow | pledge |

Pledge is a synonym of vow.



In transitive terms the difference between vow and pledge

is that vow is to make a vow regarding (something) while pledge is to give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.

As nouns the difference between vow and pledge

is that vow is a solemn promise to perform some act, or behave in a specified manner, especially a promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order while pledge is a solemn promise to do something.

As verbs the difference between vow and pledge

is that vow is to make a vow; to promise while pledge is to make a solemn promise (to do something).

vow

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A solemn promise to perform some act, or behave in a specified manner, especially a promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order.
  • A declaration or assertion.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-14, author= Sam Leith
    • , volume=189, issue=1, page=37, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Where the profound meets the profane , passage=Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. Consider for a moment the origins of almost any word we have for bad language – "profanity", "curses", "oaths" and "swearing" itself.}}

    Usage notes

    * One normally makes'' or ''takes'' a vow, or simply ''vows (see below). * Commonly mentioned vows include those of silence'', ''obedience'', ''poverty'', ''chastity'', and ''celibacy . * 'to keep/pay/fulfill a vow' = to honor a vow * 'to break a vow' = to dishonor a vow

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (ambitransitive) To make a vow; to promise.
  • * Bible, Eccl. v. 4
    • When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.
  • * Richard Baxter
    • We do not vow that we will never sin, nor neglect a duty (nor ought we to do so).
  • To make a vow regarding (something).
    • The wronged woman vowed revenge.
  • To declare publicly that one has made a vow, usually to show one's determination or to announce an act of retaliation.
    • The rebels vowed to continue their fight.

    Derived terms

    * exchange vows * take vows * vow of celibacy * vow of chastity * vow of silence * vow of poverty

    Related terms

    * devote * vote * votive

    External links

    * * *

    Anagrams

    *

    pledge

    English

    (wikipedia pledge)

    Verb

    (pledg)
  • To make a solemn promise (to do something).
  • To deposit something as a security; to pawn.
  • To give assurance of friendship by the act of drinking; to drink to one's health.
  • * 1773 ,
    • HARDCASTLE [Taking the cup.] I hope you'll find it to your mind. I have prepared it with my own hands, and I believe you'll own the ingredients are tolerable. Will you be so good as to pledge me, sir? Here, Mr. Marlow, here is to our better acquaintance. [Drinks.]
  • * 1852 , Matthew Arnold, Tristram and Iseult
    • Reach me my golden cup that stands by thee,
    And pledge me in it first for courtesy.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A solemn promise to do something.
  • Something given by a person who is borrowing money etc to the person he has borrowed it from, to be kept until the money etc is returned.
  • A person who has taken a pledge of allegiance to a college fraternity, but not yet formally approved.
  • A security to guarantee payment of a debt.
  • A drinking toast.
  • A promise to abstain from drinking alcohol.

    • Synonyms

    * (l) * (l)

    Derived terms

    * (l) * (l)