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# vow

noun (a vow, vows); verb (vow, vows, vowed, vowing)

«vow» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A vow is a serious promise, often a solemn or religious one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/#m1)
2. To vow is to promise firmly that you will do something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/#m2)
3. (church) Wedding vows are the promises a couple make when they marry; monks and nuns take vows to God. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories, a hero vows to rescue a friend; in religious education monks and nuns take vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. At weddings the couple exchange vows. Phrases: «take a vow», «make a vow», «break a vow», «wedding vows», «vow to do something».

### Examples

- The knight made a vow to protect the king. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/#x1)
- She vowed never to tell the secret. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/#x2)
- At the wedding they said their vows. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/#x3)
- The monks took vows of silence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/#x4)
- I vowed to practise the piano every day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/#x5)
- Breaking a vow is a serious thing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/#x6)
- The friends vowed to stay in touch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/#x7)
- Indeed, I have made a vow never again to leave Bagdad." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/#x8)

### Note

Noun and regular verb, past «vowed». Pronunciation rhymes with «now». Stronger and more solemn than an ordinary «promise». Do not confuse with «vowel» (a, e, i, o, u).

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah a vow is a solemn promise to God, and it must be kept once spoken.

**Interpretation.** The Torah says it is no sin not to vow, but a spoken vow must be fulfilled. Jews begin Yom Kippur with Kol Nidre, which asks that vows made rashly be released, and the sages warn against making vows at all.

### Examples

- But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. (Torah DEU.23.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vow/#x1)
- And if a woman vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath, (Torah NUM.30.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vow/#x2)
- I am the God of Beth-el, where thou didst anoint a pillar, where thou didst vow a vow unto Me. (Torah GEN.31.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vow/#x3)
- Thy vows are upon me, O God; I will render thank-offerings unto Thee. (Writings PSA.56.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vow/#x4)
- How he swore unto the LORD, and vowed unto the Mighty One of Jacob: (Writings PSA.132.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vow/#x5)
- 'Sacrifices of peace-offerings were due from me; this day have I paid my vows. (Writings PRO.7.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vow/#x6)

### Note

Noun and regular verb, past «vowed». Pronunciation rhymes with «now». Stronger and more solemn than an ordinary «promise». Do not confuse with «vowel» (a, e, i, o, u).

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «vow» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vow/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«vow» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/vow.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «vow» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vow/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«vow» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/vow.html) on Mova free.