swear

Swear has two principal meanings. As a verb, it means to use profane or obscene language—words that many people consider offensive. It can also mean to pledge or certify something solemnly, often by taking an oath. The noun form swearing or profanity names the category of taboo language, or the act of making an oath.

Profanity varies by culture and context. What is considered offensive, where and when it can be used, and which groups are protected from speech differ widely. Some societies tolerate casual profanity in private or in media, while others restrict it in public or around certain audiences. Swearing can express surprise, anger, humor, or emphasis, but can also offend or harm others, especially when directed as harassment or hate speech.

Oath-taking sense: In legal and formal settings, to swear an oath means to commit oneself to truthfulness or to a pledge. Traditionally this invokes a deity, but secular affirmations are common today. The act is procedural and solemn, distinct from the use of profanity in everyday language.

Etymology and scope: The verb “swear” derives from Old English swarian, originally tied to invoking a higher power or the divine, with the sense of promising or bearing witness. Over time, the word broadened to cover everyday profanity in many languages, while some terms remain taboo in certain communities or media formats.