warranty
warranty Lexical Profile
warranty Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A written guarantee, issued to the purchaser of an article by its manufacturer, promising to repair or replace it if necessary within a specified period of time.
"The laptop comes with a two-year manufacturer's warranty that covers hardware defects."
In contract and insurance law, a formal assurance or collateral promise that certain facts or conditions are true or will happen.
"The marine insurance policy was voided due to a breach of warranty regarding the vessel's safety equipment."
Official authorization, sanction, or justification for an action or belief.
"There is no historical warranty for the claim that the treaty was signed in secret."
• verb
To provide a formal commercial warranty for (a product, vehicle, or piece of work).
"The roofing contractor warrantied the new installation against leaks for ten years."
Word Nuance & Usage
While often used interchangeably in everyday speech, in consumer and contract law a "warranty" is typically a specific written promise to repair or replace a defective product within a stated period, whereas a "guarantee" is a broader assurance of quality or financial responsibility.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 14th century from Anglo-French warantie, a dialectical variant of Old French garantie ('protection, pledge, guarantee'), which shares a Germanic root meaning 'to protect or defend' with the English word 'guarantee'.