oath
A solemn promise regarding one's future action or truthfulness, often invoking a divine witness. / A profane expression or a swear word.
[C/U] Both
pl: oaths
This word carries a heavy weight of obligation and permanence. When used as a formal promise, it suggests a binding contract with a higher power or a legal entity, where breaking the vow leads to severe social or spiritual consequences. It is far more rigid and ceremonial than a simple promise.
In its second sense, it refers to a sudden burst of anger or frustration. While a formal oath is measured and slow, a spoken oath is usually explosive and impulsive, serving as a verbal release of tension.
Countable when referring to a specific promise or a single swear word. Uncountable when referring to the general act of swearing or the state of being bound by a promise.