solemn vow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, literary, religious
Quick answer
What does “solemn vow” mean?
A very serious and formal promise, often with legal or religious significance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very serious and formal promise, often with legal or religious significance.
A promise made with deep sincerity, gravity, and a profound sense of commitment, typically accompanied by a formal ceremony or declaration, binding the individual morally or spiritually.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Equally strong connotations of gravity and formality in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English in historical or ecclesiastical contexts, but the difference is minimal.
Grammar
How to Use “solemn vow” in a Sentence
[Subject] + take/make/swear + a solemn vow + to-infinitive[Subject] + take/make/swear + a solemn vow + of + noun[Subject] + take/make/swear + a solemn vow + that-clauseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “solemn vow” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He vowed solemnly to uphold the traditions of the crown.
- The knight vowed a solemn oath before his king.
American English
- She solemnly vowed to defend the Constitution.
- They vowed, in solemn ceremony, to support each other.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused; replaced by 'binding contract' or 'firm commitment'.
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, sociology, and literature to describe formal commitments in monastic orders, marriages, or initiation rites.
Everyday
Used with high gravity for major life events like marriage ('exchange solemn vows'), or humorously/exaggeratedly for minor promises ('I made a solemn vow to never eat chocolate again').
Technical
Specific meaning in Canon Law (Roman Catholic Church) distinguishing 'simple' from 'solemn' vows, the latter having more serious canonical effects.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “solemn vow”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “solemn vow”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “solemn vow”
- Misspelling 'solemn' as 'solumn' or 'solem'.
- Using it in an inappropriate, casual context, e.g., 'I took a solemn vow to finish my coffee.' (unless used for humour).
- Incorrect collocation: 'do a solemn vow' instead of 'take/make/swear a solemn vow'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while often associated with religious contexts (like monastic vows), it can be used in any situation requiring an extremely serious and formal promise, such as in a court of law, a marriage, or a solemn political commitment.
A 'solemn vow' intensifies the gravity, formality, and perceived binding nature of a standard vow. It implies a ceremony, deep personal commitment, and often a higher stake or consequence for breaking it.
Physically and legally, yes, a promise can be broken. However, the term 'solemn vow' carries the strong implication that breaking it would be a profound moral, ethical, or spiritual transgression, often with serious social or personal consequences.
It is a noun phrase consisting of the adjective 'solemn' modifying the noun 'vow'. It is not a single lexical compound word (like 'sunflower'), but a fixed collocation with a specific meaning.
A very serious and formal promise, often with legal or religious significance.
Solemn vow is usually formal, literary, religious in register.
Solemn vow: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɒləm vaʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɑːləm vaʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Swear on a stack of Bibles (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SOLE (only one) and MN (mnemonic for 'monk'): A monk takes a SOLE-MN vow, a unique and serious promise to his faith.
Conceptual Metaphor
A VOW IS A BINDING CONTRACT (with God, the community, or oneself).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would the phrase 'solemn vow' be LEAST appropriate?