Definition and pronunciation
vows /vaʊz/ — plural noun meaning solemn promises or commitments, especially in a wedding or religious context.
Related forms: vow /vaʊ/ (singular noun; also verb “to vow” = to promise solemnly).
Easy explanation
Vows are serious promises. At weddings, couples speak vows to promise love, support, and loyalty. In religion, someone may take a vow of silence or poverty.
Grammatical formation
- Noun: vow (singular), vows (plural).
- Verb: vow, vows, vowed, vowing (“She vows to help”).
- Typical frames (noun): exchange vows; renew vows; break/keep vows; vow of X.
- Typical frames (verb): vow to do; vow never to; vow that…
Meanings and nuances
- Marriage promises — the words spouses say during a wedding ceremony.
- Religious or moral promises — formal commitments such as vows of chastity or poverty.
- Strong personal pledges — earnest promises in everyday life (“He made a vow to study daily”).
With prepositions and variants
- vows to [person] — “They made their vows to each other.”
- vows of [quality/state] — “a vow of secrecy/poverty/celibacy.”
- vow to [verb] — “She vowed to return.”
- vow that [clause] — “He vowed that he would change.”
- vows at/in [event/place] — “vows at the ceremony,” “vows in church.”
- renew vows / vow renewal — a later ceremony reaffirming marriage promises.
Common collocations
wedding vows, exchange vows, renew vows, take vows, vow renewal, personal vows, traditional vows, solemn vows, break vows, keep vows, vow of silence, vow of poverty, vow of chastity, monastic vows, vow to never, vow before God, vow of secrecy
Idioms and neighboring expressions
make a vow, swear an oath, pledge one’s word, give your word, promise solemnly, bind yourself, covenant, sacred promise, vow renewal ceremony
Word comparisons
- vow vs promise: vow is more solemn and formal; promise is broader and everyday.
- vow vs oath: oath often invokes law or a deity and is sworn before an authority; a vow is a personal, solemn commitment, frequently religious or marital.
- vow vs pledge: pledge is a firm promise, often public or contractual.
- vows vs wedding promises: near-equivalents; “vows” is the standard wedding term.
Real-life examples
- “During the ceremony, they exchanged handwritten vows.”
- “The monk took vows of poverty and obedience.”
- “After the scandal, the mayor vowed to restore trust.”
Sample sentences
- “They wrote their own vows for the wedding.”
- “She vowed to call her parents every week.”
- “He broke his vows and apologized publicly.”
- “The couple renewed their vows on their tenth anniversary.”
- “The nun’s vows guide her daily life.”
- “I make a vow to practice English twenty minutes a day.”
- “Their vows included promises of respect and patience.”
- “The athlete vowed that she would come back stronger.”
- “He took a vow of silence for a month.”
- “They kept their vows through difficult times.”
Synonyms
promises, pledges, oaths, commitments, assurances, covenants, avowals, undertakings
Antonyms
renunciations, recantations, withdrawals, repudiations, backtracking, betrayal (of a promise), breach (of promise)
Related terms
wedding, marriage, ceremony, officiant, vow renewal, oath, pledge, covenant, fidelity, commitment, engagement, nuptials, sacrament, monastic, celibacy, promise ring
Connection to sexuality
“Vows” are not a sexual term. They often include promises about fidelity or exclusivity in marriage, and religious vows can include celibacy. These are about commitment, not sexual activity itself.
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