What does promissory mean?
Promissory means relating to a promise or constituting a promise, particularly one intended to have legal force. Its best-known use is in “promissory note,” a written document in which a borrower formally promises to repay a sum of money, usually with interest and on a specified date. Such instruments are legally enforceable, which distinguishes them from casual promises and give them a formal, financial character. The adjective may also describe other formal assurances, including a promissory letter of credit used in international trade. In ordinary conversation, people simply say “promise” or “agreement”; “promissory” is more likely to appear in contracts, banking, commerce, and law. The rare noun use of the word refers to a written or formal promise, but it is much less common than the adjective and is usually encountered in older or specialized usage.
Relating to or constituting a promise, especially a formal or legally binding promise.
"The lender accepted the promissory note as security for the debt."
Chiefly formal, legal, and financial; especially common in “promissory note” and “promissory letter of credit.”
A written or formal promise, especially a promissory note.
"The borrower delivered a promissory as evidence of repayment."
Rare in modern usage and chiefly encountered in legal, financial, or historical contexts.
Rare and generally used only in legal, financial, or historical contexts.
"The archive contained several promissory issued by local businesses."
A promissory note turns a promise into collateral.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does promissory come from?
The word was formed in English in the late Middle English period from “promise” and the suffix “-ory,” with the adjective sense developing in relation to formal promises. Its immediate Latin model was “promissorius,” meaning “of or relating to a promise” and derived from “promittere,” meaning “to promise.” Modern cognates and related forms include “promise,” “promiser,” and “promised,” all reflecting the same verbal root.
Related word forms
How promissory is actually used
The adjective is chiefly formal and especially common in legal and financial contexts. The noun is rare in modern general use and survives most often in the established phrase “promissory note.”
Easily confused with promissory
A promise is the assurance or undertaking itself, whereas promissory describes a document or other expression that formally embodies such an assurance.