# oath

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈəʊθ/ · frequency rank #7,587

## Definitions
1. A solemn pledge or promise that invokes a deity, a ruler, or another entity (not necessarily present) to attest the truth of a statement or sincerity of one's desire to fulfill a contract or promise.
2. A statement or promise which is strengthened (affirmed) by such a pledge.
3. A light, irreverent or insulting appeal to a deity or other entity.
4. A curse, a curse word.

## Etymology
From Middle English ooth, oth, ath, from Old English āþ (“oath”), from Proto-West Germanic *aiþ (“oath”), from Proto-Germanic *aiþaz (“oath”).
Cognate with Scots aith, athe (“oath”), North Frisian ith, iss (“oath”), Saterland Frisian Eed (“oath”), West Frisian eed (“oath”), Dutch eed (“oath”), German Eid (“oath”), Swedish ed (“oath”), Icelandic eið (“oath”), Latin ūtor (“make use of, employ, avail”, verb), Old Irish óeth (“oath”).

## Easily confused with
- **OH** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-oh)
- **OT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-ot)
- **out** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-out)
- **opt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-opt)
- **ooh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-ooh)
- **oft** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-oft)
- **OST** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-ost)
- **OTC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-otc)
- **OTT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-ott)
- **Ota** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-ota)
- **och** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-och)
- **oth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-oth)
- **oot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-oot)
- **OTS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-ots)
- **OTP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-otp)
- **onto** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-onto)
- **otto** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-otto)
- **ouch** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-ouch)
- **oats** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-oats)
- **oooh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/oath-vs-oooh)

## Common misspellings (5)
`aoth`, `oaht`, `oathh`, `oatth`, `otah`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/oath