Meaning 1
A commitment that gives another person reason to rely on a future action.
Reach for it when naming a clear assurance whose value depends on follow-through
Keeping the small promise helped rebuild trust after the missed visit.
Meaning 2
Signs of likely future ability, value, or success.
Reach for it when recognizing encouraging early evidence without guaranteeing the outcome
The first field trial showed promise under difficult conditions.
| Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| everyday | ||
| warm |
| |
| professional | ||
| formal | ||
| literary |
everyday
word
Fits when personal reliability makes a simple assurance meaningful
Careful The idiom needs context and lacks the formality of a legal obligation.
professional
Fits when confidence is given about an outcome
Careful An assurance may report belief rather than bind the speaker to act.
professional
Fits when responsibility to act is the central idea
Careful A commitment can be private or institutional without being spoken as a promise.
formal
pledge
Fits when a solemn or public commitment is made
Careful Pledge is stronger and can imply ceremony, money, or allegiance.
literary
vow
Fits when the commitment is solemn and deeply personal
Careful Vow is excessive for an ordinary practical undertaking.
everyday
early promise
Fits when the developmental stage should stay explicit
Careful The phrase repeats the headword and is not a substitute where brevity matters.
warm
Fits when a favorable future remains possible
Careful Hope can rest on desire alone, while promise suggests evidence.
professional
Fits when latent capacity could develop
Careful Potential can exist without the encouraging evidence implied by promise.
formal
prospect
Fits when a favorable future outcome is contemplated
Careful A prospect can come from circumstances rather than inherent ability.
keep a promise
She rearranged the route to keep a promise made to isolated residents.
show promise
The low-cost sensor continued to show promise after the first winter.
promise of
The reopened workshop carried the promise of regular apprenticeships.
promise to
Her promise to publish the results included a specific date.
full of promise
The first rehearsal was full of promise despite the unfinished ending.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, California accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated
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