guarantee

[ gar-uhn-tee ]

noun

1. a promise or assurance, especially one in writing, that something is of specified quality, content, benefit, etc., or that it will perform satisfactorily for a given length of time:

   a money-back guarantee.

2. an assurance that another’s obligation will be fulfilled, or something presented as such security; guaranty ( defs 1, 2 ).
3. something that assures a particular outcome or condition:

   Wealth is no guarantee of happiness.

4. a person who gives a guarantee or guaranty; guarantor.
5. a person to whom a guarantee is made.

verb (used with object)

, guar·an·teed, guar·an·tee·ing.

1. to secure, as by giving or taking security:

   A credit card guarantees your reservation at the hotel.

2. to make oneself answerable for (something) on behalf of someone else who is primarily responsible:

   to guarantee the fulfillment of a contract.

3. to undertake to ensure for another, as rights or possessions:

   The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

4. to serve as a warrant or guaranty for.
5. to undertake to protect or indemnify:

   to guarantee a person against loss.

6. to undertake (to do something):

   I will guarantee to prove every word I stated.

7. to promise (usually followed by a clause as object):

   I guarantee that I'll be there.

guarantee

/ ˌɡærənˈtiː /

noun

1. a formal assurance, esp in writing, that a product, service, etc, will meet certain standards or specifications
2. law a promise, esp a collateral agreement, to answer for the debt, default, or miscarriage of another
3. 1. a person, company, etc, to whom a guarantee is made
   2. a person, company, etc, who gives a guarantee
4. a person who acts as a guarantor
5. something that makes a specified condition or outcome certain
6. a variant spelling of guaranty

verb

1. also tr to take responsibility for (someone else's debts, obligations, etc)
2. to serve as a guarantee for
3. to secure or furnish security for

   a small deposit will guarantee any dress

4. usually foll byfrom or against to undertake to protect or keep secure, as against injury, loss, etc
5. to ensure

   good planning will guarantee success

6. may take a clause as object or an infinitive to promise or make certain

Other Words From

• nonguar·an·tee noun
• preguar·an·tee noun verb (used with object) preguaranteed preguaranteeing
• quasi-guaran·teed adjective
• reguar·an·tee noun verb (used with object) reguaranteed reguaranteeing
• super·guaran·tee noun verb superguaranteed superguaranteeing
• unguar·an·teed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of guarantee¹

First recorded in 1670–80; alteration of guaranty

Word History and Origins

Origin of guarantee¹

C17: perhaps from Spanish garante or French garant, of Germanic origin; compare warrant

Example Sentences

“Providing a long-term guarantee of work encourages employees to think about building up expertise in their very nuanced areas, which could be things like environmental regulation, disaster response, or workplace safety,” said Moynihan.

From Slate

Also, a successful prior film doesn’t always guarantee a win for a long-returning sequel.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet others say there is no way to guarantee safety — especially in extremely dry and windy conditions.

From Los Angeles Times

“Doing things to your house — in particular things like vent screens, or closing eaves on your roof or having double-pane windows — can significantly increase the chance that your house survives a fire, but contrary to what a lot of people like to say, this is not a guarantee.”

From Los Angeles Times

But there’s no guarantee a blaze like the Mountain fire won’t happen again.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assure
• ensure
• insure
• maintain
• protect
• prove
• secure
• support