# vow

> English word · Noun · IPA /vaʊ/ · frequency rank #13,836

## Definitions
1. A solemn promise to perform some act, or behave in a specified manner, especially a promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order.
2. A declaration or assertion.
3. A votive offering.

## Etymology
Inherited from Middle English vowe, voue, that from Old French vut, in turn from Latin vōtum (“a promise, dedication, vow”), from vovēre (“to promise, vow”). Not related to avow. Doublet of vote.

## Easily confused with
- **VR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vow-vs-vr)
- **VP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vow-vs-vp)
- **VW** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vow-vs-vw)
- **Vu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vow-vs-vu)
- **VX** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vow-vs-vx)
- **VPN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vow-vs-vpn)
- **vox** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vow-vs-vox)
- **VPS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vow-vs-vps)
- **vowed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vow-vs-vowed)
- **vowel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vow-vs-vowel)
- **v** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/v-vs-vow)
- **VA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/va-vs-vow)
- **vi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vi-vs-vow)
- **V8** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/v8-vs-vow)
- **VC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vc-vs-vow)
- **V2** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/v2-vs-vow)
- **V6** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/v6-vs-vow)
- **VM** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vm-vs-vow)
- **vo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vo-vs-vow)
- **VF** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vf-vs-vow)

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