A promise is a commitment to do something or ensure that something happens. When you promise your friend you'll meet them after school, you're giving your word that you'll be there. When your parents promise to take you to the park on Saturday, they're making a pledge they intend to keep.

Promises create trust between people. If you keep your promises consistently, others learn they can count on you. If you break them often, people stop believing what you say. That's why making a promise is serious: you're asking someone to rely on you.

Some promises are spoken aloud: “I promise I'll return your book tomorrow.” Others are implied or understood, like a promise between friends to keep each other's secrets. A broken promise is one that wasn't kept, while someone who is promising shows signs of future success (a promising young athlete).

The strength of a promise matters too. Saying “I'll try to come” is weaker than “I promise I'll be there.” The word itself adds weight to your commitment. When you promise something, you're putting your reputation and trustworthiness on the line. Breaking a promise damages relationships because the other person planned around your word and felt let down when you didn't follow through.