<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>a declaration that something will or will not be done, given, etc., by one: unkept political promises</li><li>an express assurance on which expectation is to be based: promises that an enemy will not win</li><li>Synonyms: pledge, word</li><li>something that has the effect of an express assurance; indication of what may be expected</li><li>indication of future excellence or achievement: a writer who shows promise</li><li>something that is promised</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>promised, promising</li><li>to engage or undertake by promise (usually used with an infinitive or a clause as object): She promised to go tomorrow</li><li>Synonyms: agree, covenant, pledge</li><li>to make a promise of (some specified act, gift, etc.): to promise help</li><li>to make a promise of something to (a specified person): Promise me that you will come</li><li>to afford ground for expecting: The sky promised a storm</li><li>to engage to join in marriage</li><li>to assure (used in emphatic declarations): I won't go there again, I promise you that!</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object)</strong></p><ul><li>promised, promising</li><li>to afford ground for expectation (often followed by well or fair): His forthcoming novel promises well</li><li>to make a promise</li></ul>