aver
To aver is to state something or declare something is true. This verb has a serious tone, so you might aver something on a witness stand or you might aver that you won't back down to a challenge.
The verb aver comes to English via the Latin root words ad, meaning "to," and verus, meaning "true." The word can have the sense of formally declaring something is true, but it can also mean to report positively: "The grandmother averred that her granddaughter would make a fine veterinarian because of her love and caring for animals."
Definitions of aver
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declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
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types:
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hold
assert or affirm
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claim, take
lay claim to; as of an idea
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attest
authenticate; affirm to be true, genuine, or correct, as in an official capacity
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declare
state firmly
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protest
affirm or avow formally or solemnly
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assure, tell
inform positively and with certainty and confidence
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type of:
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declare
state emphatically and authoritatively
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report or maintain
Commonly confused words
aver / avow
To aver is to affirm and to avow is to openly declare. There's some overlap with these words because when people want to aver something — state a truth — they probably also want to avow it — say it publicly.
Word Family
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