prom·ise / ˈpräməs/ • n. a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that guarantees that a particular thing will happen: what happened to all those firm promises of support? | he took my fax number with the promise that he would send me a drawing | I did not keep my promise to go home early. ∎  the quality of potential excellence: he showed great promise even as a junior officer. ∎  [in sing.] an indication that something specified is expected or likely to occur: the promise of peace.• v. 1. assure someone that one will definitely do, give, or arrange something; undertake or declare that something will happen: he promised to forward my mail | she made him promise that he wouldn't do it again | [with direct speech] “I'll bring it right back,” she promised | he promised her the job. ∎  [tr.] (usu. be promised) archaic pledge (someone, esp. a woman) to marry someone else; betroth: I've been promised to him for years.2. [tr.] give good grounds for expecting (a particular occurrence or situation): forthcoming concerts promise a feast of music from around the world | it promised to be a night that all present would long remember. ∎  (of a person, publication, institution, etc.) announce (something) as being expected to happen: China yesterday promised a record grain harvest | we're promised more winter weather tonight. ∎  (promise oneself) contemplate the pleasant expectation of: he tidied up the room, promising himself an early night.PHRASES: I promise (or I promise you) inf. used for emphasis, esp. so as to reassure, encourage, or threaten someone: oh, I'm not joking, I promise you.promise (someone) the earth (or moon) make extravagant promises to someone that are unlikely to be fulfilled: interactive technology titillates, promises the earth, but delivers nothing.promises, promises inf. used to indicate that the speaker is skeptical about someone's stated intention to do something.DERIVATIVES: prom·is·er n.