promisee

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablelegallaw

   The person to whom a promise is made, especially one that a court can enforce.

   Grammar: Countable: use 'a promisee' or 'the promisee'; the person who makes the promise is the promisor.

   Patterns

   • the promisee under a contract
   • a promisee of the promise

   Under the agreement, the promisee can sue if payment is late.

   The court asked whether the promisee had given anything in return.

   She signed as promisee, accepting the company's undertaking.

2. 2nouncountablelegallawspecialist

   In a contract, the party who receives the benefit of the other side's undertaking.

   Grammar: Often paired with 'promisor' in legal writing: 'the promisor owes the promisee a duty'.

   Patterns

   • the promisor and the promisee
   • a duty owed to the promisee

   The judge held that the promisor had failed the promisee.

   Rights under the contract belong to the promisee alone.

Word forms

Common combinations

the promisee under a contract

Only the promisee under a contract may enforce its terms.

the promisor and the promisee

Both the promisor and the promisee must sign the deed.

a duty owed to the promisee

The builder admitted a duty owed to the promisee.

the promisee's rights

The promisee's rights were assigned to a bank.

Synonyms and how they differ

obligee

Used in finance and law for the person to whom a duty is owed; it is broader and not limited to promises.

beneficiary

Focuses on who gains from an arrangement, while 'promisee' focuses on who was promised something.

Opposites

Word family

promise noun

A statement that you will definitely do something.

promise verb

To say you will certainly do something.

promissory adjective

Containing or relating to a promise, as in a promissory note.

Commonly confused: promisee or promisor?

Practice

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