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.

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)

guaranteed, guaranteeing 

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. 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 Word Forms

• nonguarantee noun
• preguarantee noun
• quasi-guaranteed adjective
• reguarantee noun
• superguarantee noun
• unguaranteed 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

And even in a worst-case scenario where they fail to finish among the top two, Wales are all but guaranteed a play-off place thanks to their Nations League performance.

From BBC

A source at the Élysée, Macron's office, has said the group are now ready to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, only waiting for US confirmation that it will act as the ultimate backstop.

From BBC

“That amounts to over 10 million hours of guaranteed high-dose tutoring over the next three school years.”

From Los Angeles Times

Had Gem known the road it would lead her down I can guarantee she would have never taken ketamine that very first time.

From BBC

"Please, we are just cyclists and we are doing our job, but if it will continue like this our safety is not guaranteed any more, and we feel in danger! We just want to race."

From BBC

Related Words

• agreement 
• assurance 
• certificate 
• collateral 
• contract 
• deposit 
• insurance 
• security 
• warranty 

When To Use

What does guarantee mean?

A guarantee is a promise or assurance, especially one that is written or legally binding, that something is of a stated quality or will perform as stated, such as a guarantee that a car you purchase will operate correctly.A guarantee is also an assurance of a particular outcome or condition, as in Weather predictions are not guarantees. Weather often changes quickly.To guarantee something is to secure something, as a ticket guarantees entry to a movie showing.As well, to guarantee is to promise to do something, usually by signing a legally binding agreement, as in The company guaranteed me a job when I signed the contract.Example: I guarantee you will love your purchase and will give you a full refund if you don’t.