warranty
C1Formal, legal, commercial
Definition
Meaning
A written or spoken guarantee from a manufacturer or seller promising to repair or replace a product if it has specified faults within a certain period after purchase.
In legal contexts, a warranty is an assurance or promise about the condition or quality of goods or services, which forms part of the contract and can give rise to a claim if breached. It can also refer, more broadly, to any formal assurance or authorization.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often confused with 'guarantee'. In modern consumer contexts, they are largely synonymous, but 'warranty' is more specific to a written, time-bound contract for goods, while 'guarantee' can be broader and more informal. In law, a 'warranty' is a subsidiary term of a contract, breach of which gives rise to a claim for damages but not to terminate the contract, unlike a 'condition'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The legal concept is the same in both jurisdictions. The spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Neutral commercial/legal term in both. Slightly more formal than 'guarantee' in everyday speech.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in consumer electronics and automotive contexts (e.g., 'extended warranty').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [NOUN] comes with a [LENGTH] warranty.The [PRODUCT] is still under warranty.That repair will void your warranty.They honoured the warranty without question.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's as good as the warranty.”
- “(to be) sold without a warranty”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
All our machinery is sold with a comprehensive two-year parts and labour warranty.
Academic
The Sale of Goods Act implies certain statutory warranties regarding merchantable quality.
Everyday
Check if your phone's warranty covers accidental damage.
Technical
The software is provided 'as is' without any implied warranty of merchantability.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This device is warranted for three years against manufacturing faults.
American English
- The manufacturer warranted the product to be free from defects.
adjective
British English
- Please keep your warranty documentation safe.
American English
- The warranty period begins on the date of purchase.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My new television has a one-year warranty.
- If the laptop breaks within the warranty period, they will fix it for free.
- The extended warranty offered at the checkout provides peace of mind but is often criticised as poor value.
- The vendor breached the implied warranty of fitness for purpose, giving the buyer grounds to sue for damages.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WARRior ANT protecting your Y (why?) purchase. The warrior ant guarantees it.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WARRANTY is a SHIELD against defects. A WARRANTY is a CONTRACTUAL UMBRELLA.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'warran**t**' (ордер, гарантия ареста). The Russian "гарантия" is a closer match for 'guarantee'. 'Warranty' is best translated as "гарантийный срок/обслуживание" or "письменная гарантия".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'warranty' for very informal promises (e.g., 'I warranty I'll be there'). Confusing 'warranty' (noun) with 'warrant' (verb/noun). Misspelling as 'warrenty' or 'warrantly'.
Practice
Quiz
In a legal contract, a 'warranty' is best described as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In everyday consumer talk, they are interchangeable. Technically, a 'warranty' is usually a written, time-bound agreement for products. A 'guarantee' can be written or spoken and is broader, sometimes covering satisfaction or results.
Yes, both mean the warranty period is still active. 'Under warranty' is more common.
It means to do something (like opening the product or using it improperly) that invalidates the warranty, so the manufacturer is no longer obligated to repair or replace it.
It typically means the lifetime of the product or the lifetime of the original owner, as defined by the company's policy, not necessarily the purchaser's natural life. Always read the fine print.
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