Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

avow

/əˈvaʊ/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.67 in modern English

Syllables: avow
IPA: /əˈvaʊ/

10

Scrabble Score

4

Letters

2

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To declare openly and boldly, as something believed to be right; to own, acknowledge or confess frankly.

Transitive verb

verb

To bind or devote by a vow.

Transitive verb

verb

To acknowledge and justify, as an act done. See avowry.

noun

Obsolete

Example Sentences

"[…] in 1786, and for some period later, there were few, if any, prominent Americans, who avowed themselves in favor of broadly democratic systems."
"No man may halewe and avowe the firste gendrid thingis that perteynen to the Lord, whether it is oxe, whether scheep, tho ben the Lordis part."
"avow himself the accomplice of his crimes"
"without thy Knowledge and Avow"

Etymology

From Middle English avowen, from Old French avouer, from Latin advocare (“to call to, call upon, hence to call as a witness, defender, patron, or advocate”), from ad (“to”) + vocare (“to call”). Doublet of advoke, avouch, and advocate. Not related to vow.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: *wekʷ-, avowen, avouer, advoco

Usage

Inflected Forms

avows (present, singular) avowing (participle, present) avowed (participle, past) avowed (past)

Frequently Paired Words

advocate avowable avowably avowal avowance avowed avowedly avower

Synonyms

consecrate dedicate hallow sanctify avow behallow bless canonize inaugurate martyr sacralize sacrate

Antonyms

disavow

Rhymes With

how now allow wow bow thou cow dow mao vow brow howe

Questions

How do you pronounce avow?: The recorded pronunciation is /əˈvaʊ/.
What does avow mean?: To declare openly and boldly, as something believed to be right; to own, acknowledge or confess frankly.
Where does avow come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce avow

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “avow”.
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