avouch

American  

[uh-vouch] / əˈvaʊtʃ /

verb (used with object)

1. to make frank acknowledgment or affirmation of; declare or assert with positiveness.

2. to assume responsibility for; vouch for; guarantee.

3. to admit; confess.

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avouch British  

/ əˈvaʊtʃ /

verb

1. to vouch for; guarantee

2. to acknowledge

3. to assert

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Other Word Forms

• avoucher noun
• avouchment noun
• unavouched adjective

Etymology

Origin of avouch

1350–1400; Middle English avouchen < Middle French avouchier < Latin advocāre. See a- ⁵, vouch, advocate

Explanation

When you avouch, you assert that something is true. An accused man might be acquitted if several eyewitnesses avouch that he was nowhere near the scene of the crime. Avouch is an extremely old-fashioned way to say another (only slightly old-fashioned) word, avow. Use either word to mean "assert" or "declare." While it's unusual to hear people use avouch, it's common to say something like, "I'll vouch for my friend," meaning you'll give evidence or make a guarantee on your friend's behalf. The root of avouch is the Latin advocare, "call to as a witness."

Example Sentences

Before my God, I might not this believe, without the sensible and true avouch of mine own eyes.

From Textbooks • Mar. 27, 2020

They avouch Him to be their God; He avouches them to be His people.

From The Ordinance of Covenanting by Cunningham, John

What is the distinctive sense of aver? of avouch? of avow?

From English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions by Fernald, James Champlin

No other reason can be assigned, but that it was necessary then to avouch the testimony for that indispensible duty then interdicted.

From A Hind Let Loose Or, An Historical Representation of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland for the Interest of Christ. With the True State Thereof in All Its Periods by Shields, Alexander

It is true—that I avouch, and the certainty of it has sickened me at heart.

From The Shepherd's Calendar Volume I (of II) by Hogg, James