n (1)允(承)诺，诺言 (declaration that one will or will not do a certain thing) [C][N (of)]： break/carry out/fulfil/give/make a～不守/履行/兑现/作出/许下诺言;trust sb's～to do sth 相信某人做某事的承诺;keep one's～to write home once a month 信守自己每月给家里写一封信的诺言;When this happens， they will not hesitate to tear up their own～s. 当这事发生时，他们会毫不犹豫地取消自己的承诺。tell sb the truth under the～of secrecy 在许诺保密的情况下告诉某人真相;receive many～s of help 得到给予帮助的很多承诺;keep/hold sb to his～使某人信守其诺言;Give me your～that you'll never do that again. 向我保证以后决不再干那件事。〖同〗word，guarantee;

(2)(某事发生的)可能性 (sign of sth that will happen) [C， U][N(of)]： I can feel a～of better weather next week 我能感觉出下周天气会更好。～of happiness/peace 幸福/和平的希望;little～of success for the expedition 探险成功的可能微乎其微;There's a～of spring in the air. 空气中已经有了春天的气息。

(3)(成功的)希望，前途 (sign of future success or good results) [U]： a poet/musician/writer of～有希望的诗人/音乐家/作家;The crops are full of～. 庄稼丰收在望。He/His work shows great～. 他/他的工作显得很有前途。She shows great～as a pianist. 她很有希望成为钢琴家。〖同〗potential;

v (1)(对某人)允诺，答应 (make a promise (to sb)͵ say or give one's assurance) [I， T+n， T+that， T+to-inf， D+n+n， D+n+prep(to)， D+n+that]： “Will you come?” “Yes， I～.” “你来吗?”“我保证来。”They～d an immediate reply. 他们答应迅速作出答复。～secrecy/a thorough investigation into the affair/a new bike 允诺保密/彻底调查那件事/买一辆新自行车;I can't～anything. 我不能作出任何承诺。He～d (me) that the roof should be repaired within two days/he would never waste any time like that again. 他答应(我)两天之内把房顶修好/再也不像那样浪费时间了。～(sb) to see sb home/obey sb's commands/take a thorough rest (向某人)允诺送某人回家/服从某人的命令/彻底休息一下;They～d never to tell anyone. 他们承诺永远不告诉任何人。I want you to～me one thing. 我想让你答应我一件事。～sb one's help/an orange 答应给某人帮助/一个橘子;I can't give you the book; I've～ed it to Susan. 我不能把书给你。我已经答应给苏珊了。the～d land 《圣经》中上帝赐给以色列人的肥沃土地，迦南;任何有希望找到幸福的地方;〖同〗guarantee，assure，swear;

(2)预示(show signs of future events or developments) [T+n， T+to-inf]： The rainbow/Early mist～s fair weather/a fine day. 彩虹/晨雾预示好天气/晴天。The clouds～rain. 阴云预示有雨。The apple trees don't～much of a crop this year. 这些苹果树今年收成不会太好。It～s to be cold this afternoon. 下午天气可能会冷。She～s to be a brilliant musician. 她有希望成为一位出色的音乐家。This situation/new sales policy～s well for the future. 这种形势/新的销售政策预示着将来前景会很乐观。〖同〗indicate， imply;

I (can) promise you 可以肯定，我敢向你保证 (infml)： He'll never forgive you， I～you. 他永远不会饶恕你的，我敢保证。

promise (sb) the earth/moon 答应(某人)不可能办到的事(infml)： I can't～you the moon， but I'll do the best job I can. 我不能空口许愿，但我会尽力而为。

→′promising adj 有希望的;′promisingly adv有希望地