Commit Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/kəˈmɪt/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Verb

Definition

To promise or agree to do something, or to carry out a particular action or task.

Examples

• I commit to finishing this project by the end of the month.
• The company commits to reducing carbon emissions by 50% in the next year.

Synonyms

• Pledge
• Vow

Antonyms

• Refuse
• Abandon

Additional Information

Commitment is a fundamental aspect of personal and professional relationships. When you commit to something, you are making a promise to yourself or others to take action or fulfill an obligation. This can involve dedicating resources, time, or effort to achieving a specific goal or outcome. In some cases, commitment may also involve making sacrifices or putting in extra effort to ensure success.

In a business context, commitment can refer to a company’s promise to deliver a particular product or service, or to meet specific quality or performance standards. This can help build trust with customers and stakeholders, and demonstrate a company’s commitment to excellence.

Etymology

The word “commit” comes from the Latin “committō”, meaning “to entrust” or “to put in charge of”. It has been used in English since the 14th century to mean “to entrust” or “to confide”, and over time has evolved to include the sense of promising or agreeing to do something.

Usage Notes

When using the word “commit”, be aware of the context and audience. In formal or professional settings, it’s often used in a more formal sense to convey a sense of obligation or responsibility. In casual or personal contexts, it can be used more informally to express a willingness or intention to do something.

Cultural References

The term “commitment” has been used in popular culture to describe the level of dedication or devotion required to achieve a particular goal or outcome. For example, in the world of sports, athletes may be said to have a high level of commitment to their training and performance.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• Commit to memory: to memorize or learn something thoroughly
• Commit to a cause: to dedicate oneself to a particular purpose or goal

Related Words or Phrases

• Dedicate
• Obligate
• Pledge

Collocations

• Commit to a plan
• Make a commitment
• Take a commitment

Frequency of Use

The word “commit” is a commonly used verb in modern language, with a frequency of use of around 4.5 per million words.

• Comit
• Commmit
• Commet