Words / B2

uh-SHORR-uh-ns/əˈʃɔːrəns/

Assurance is a confident promise that something is true or will happen: give an assurance, repeated assurances. Promise is everyday; guarantee is stronger and often legal. In British English, assurance also means a type of insurance, especially life assurance. Assure is the verb (I assure you). In speech, a firm promise is enough. Do not mix assurance (the promise, or life cover) with insurance for a car, and do not confuse it with self-assurance (confidence).

Meaning

A confident promise that something is true or will happen; also, in British English, a type of insurance (life assurance).

Examples

• “He gave me an assurance that the work would be finished on time.”
• “We had written assurance that the bus would wait, and it still left on time without us.”
• “She compared life assurance quotes, then bought a separate policy for the flat.”

Good to know

A confident promise. Verb: assure. Everyday: promise. Stronger: guarantee. BrE: life assurance. Contrast: car insurance; self-assurance = confidence.

Near in meaning

promise

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