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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

vow

/vaʊ/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:05
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What does vow mean?

noun

  1. A solemn promise to perform some act, or behave in a specified manner, especially a promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order.
  2. A declaration or assertion.

verb

  1. To make a vow; to promise.
More meanings (3)

verb

  1. To make a vow regarding (something).
  2. To declare publicly that one has made a vow, usually to show one's determination or to announce an act of retaliation.

noun

  1. (obsolete) A votive offering.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/vaʊ/

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

“I always make a vow never to go to another party of any description,” Helen replied, “and I always break it.”
Virginia WoolfThe Voyage OutProject Gutenberg ebook #144
The Râkschasa replied, “I never walk nor touch the earth with my feet. I have made a vow not to do so.”
S. (Sabine) Baring-GouldThe Book of Were-WolvesProject Gutenberg ebook #5324
More book examples (3)
I sprang to my feet, and with back-thrown shoulders and upraised sword took a solemn vow to reach, rescue, and revenge my Princess.
Edgar Rice BurroughsThe gods of MarsProject Gutenberg ebook #64
The flush upon his face proclaimed at once that the vow of twenty-one years had lapsed, and the era of recklessness begun anew.
Thomas HardyThe Mayor of CasterbridgeProject Gutenberg ebook #143
As she looked at him with her dark, clear eyes, weighing this precious vow and yet not committing herself--“Ah, you don’t forgive me!”
Henry JamesConfidenceProject Gutenberg ebook #178