Meaning & use
a vow
Last updated
UK/ə ˈvaʊ/
US/ə ˈvaʊ/
Meaning
nouncountable
A serious promise, especially one made in a religious ceremony or between two people who marry.
Grammar: Countable: say 'a vow', 'the vow', or 'vows'.
Patterns
- make a vow
- take a vow
- a vow of silence
- wedding vows
They made a vow to stay together for life.
The monk took a vow of silence.
During the wedding, they exchanged vows in front of their families.
Word forms
| plural | vows |
|---|
Common combinations
- make a vow
- She made a vow never to lie again.
- take a vow
- He took a vow to serve the poor.
- wedding vows
- They wrote their own wedding vows.
- a vow of silence
- The monks follow a vow of silence.
Synonyms and how they differ
- promise
- A promise is a general word for saying you will do something; a vow is much more serious and often formal.
- oath
- An oath is a formal promise, often made in a court or before God; a vow is often personal or religious.
- pledge
- A pledge is a serious promise, often public or about money; a vow is usually more personal or religious.
Word family
- vow verb
- To make a serious promise.
Commonly confused: a vow or wow?
a vow vs wow
'Vow' sounds like 'wow' but means a serious promise; 'wow' is an exclamation of surprise.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'a vow' correctly?
Choose one answer.
We say 'make a vow to do something'. The other options use the wrong pattern after 'vow'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a vow”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.