promisee

Everyday

(law, formal) The person to whom a promise is made; the one who will receive what was promised. The person who makes the promise is the «promisor». tree →

In the lessons

It is a legal word found in contracts and law books; in everyday life we just say «the person you promised». In ethics lessons it helps talk about who is owed a promise. Phrases: «the promisor and the promisee».

Examples

• If I promise to give you my bike, you are the promisee. tree →
• The promisee can ask a court for help if a contract is broken. tree →
• In the contract, the shop is the promisor and the customer is the promisee. tree →
• A promisee trusts that the promise will be kept. tree →
• Lawyers use the word promisee, but children just say «the one I promised». tree →

Note

Rare and legal. The ending -ee marks the person who receives (like employee, trainee, payee); -or or -er marks the person who does (promisor, employer). Stress: prom-i-SEE.