guarantee

Etymology

From Old French guarantie (perhaps via a later Spanish garante), from the verb guarantir (“to protect, assure, vouch for”), ultimately from Old Frankish *warjand, *warand (“a warrant”), or from guaranty. Doublet of guaranty and warranty.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˌɡæɹənˈtiː/
• (US, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˌɡɛɹənˈtiː/ (Mary-marry-merry merger)

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -iː
• Hyphenation: guar‧an‧tee

Noun

guarantee (plural guarantees)

1. Anything that assures a certain outcome.

   Can you give me a guarantee that he will be fit for the match?

2. A legal assurance of something, e.g. a security for the fulfillment of an obligation.
3. More specifically, a written declaration that a certain product will be fit for a purpose and work correctly; a warranty

   The cooker comes with a five-year guarantee.

4. The person to whom a guarantee is made.
5. (colloquial) A person who gives such a guarantee; a guarantor.
   • 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London:

     But God who is the great Guarantee for the Peace , Order , and good behaviour of Mankind

Verb

guarantee (third-person singular simple present guarantees, present participle guaranteeing, simple past and past participle guaranteed)

1. To give an assurance that something will be done right.
2. To assume or take responsibility for a debt or other obligation.
3. To make something certain.

   The long sunny days guarantee a good crop.

Related terms

• guaranty
• guarantor

References

• “guarantee”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
• “guarantee”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.