surety

A surety is a fact that no one questions. Surety, in a legal sense, is the security you can provide when you apply for a loan.

When you're sure of something, you're positive it's true. Such things are sureties, because they inspire such confidence. Also, there's a legal type of surety. If you take out a loan, a house you own could be a surety: it could be claimed by your creditors if you don't repay the loan. That type of surety provides security (or insecurity, if you fail to pay back the loan).

Definitions of surety
  1. noun
    something clearly established
    see moresee less
    type of:
    certainty, foregone conclusion, sure thing
    something that is certain
  2. noun
    a guarantee that an obligation will be met
    synonyms: security
    see moresee less
    type of:
    guarantee, warrant, warrantee, warranty
    a written assurance that some product or service will be provided or will meet certain specifications
  3. noun
    property that your creditor can claim in case you default on your obligation
    synonyms: security
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 8 types...
    hide 8 types...
    deposit
    money given as security for an article acquired for temporary use
    earnest
    something of value given by one person to another to bind a contract
    recognisance, recognizance
    (law) a security entered into before a court with a condition to perform some act required by law; on failure to perform that act a sum is forfeited
    stock warrant, stock-purchase warrant, warrant
    a type of security issued by a corporation (usually together with a bond or preferred stock) that gives the holder the right to purchase a certain amount of common stock at a stated price
    arles, earnest money
    money given by a buyer to a seller to bind a contract
    bail, bail bond, bond
    (criminal law) money that must be forfeited by the bondsman if an accused person fails to appear in court for trial
    perpetual warrant
    a warrant with no expiration date
    subscription warrant
    a warrant that expires on a stipulated date
    type of:
    transferred possession, transferred property
    a possession whose ownership changes or lapses
  4. noun
    one who provides a warrant or guarantee to another
    synonyms: guarantor, warranter, warrantor
    see moresee less
    type of:
    patron, sponsor, supporter
    someone who supports or champions something
  5. noun
    a prisoner who is held by one party to insure that another party will meet specified terms
    synonyms: hostage
    see moresee less
    type of:
    captive, prisoner
    a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
Word Family
EDITOR’S CHOICE

Test prep from the experts

Boost your test score with programs developed by Vocabulary.com’s experts.

  • Proven methods: Learn faster, remember longer with our scientific approach.
  • Personalized plan: We customize your experience to maximize your learning.
  • Strategic studying: Focus on the words that are most crucial for success.

SAT/PSAT

$29.95
  • Number of words: 500+
  • Duration: 8 weeks or less
  • Time: 1 hour / week
Learn more

TOEFL

$29.95
  • Number of words: 500+
  • Duration: 10 weeks or less
  • Time: 1 hour / week
Learn more

ACT

$29.95
  • Number of words: 700+
  • Duration: 10 weeks
  • Time: 1 hour / week
Learn more