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guarantee

Pronunciation: /gar(ə)nˈtiː/

Translate guarantee | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of guarantee

noun

  • 1a formal assurance (typically in writing) that certain conditions will be fulfilled, especially that a product will be repaired or replaced if not of a specified quality:we offer a 10-year guarantee against rusting the treaty provides a guarantee of free trade
  • something that ensures a particular outcome:a degree is no guarantee of a fast-track career
  • 2 (also guaranty) Law an undertaking to answer for the payment or performance of another person’s debt or obligation in the event of a default by the person primarily responsible for it.
  • a thing serving as security for a guarantee.
  • less common term for guarantor.

verb (guarantees, guaranteeing, guaranteed)

  • 1 [no object] provide a formal assurance, especially that certain conditions will be fulfilled relating to a product, service, or transaction: [with infinitive]:the company guarantees to refund your money
  • [with object] provide a guarantee for:the cooker is guaranteed for five years (as adjective guaranteed)the guaranteed bonus is not very high
  • [with object] provide financial security for; underwrite: a demand that £100,000 be deposited to guarantee their costs
  • 2 [with object] promise with certainty:no one can guarantee a profit on stocks and shares

Origin:

late 17th century (in the sense 'guarantor'): perhaps from Spanish garante, corresponding to French garant (see warrant), later influenced by French garantie 'guaranty'

Spelling rule

Verbs ending in -oe, -ee, and -ye keep the final -e when adding -ing: (guarantees, guaranteeing, guaranteed).

guarantee in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of guarantee in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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