Legal Definitions - bare promise

Definition: A promise made in exchange for nothing; a promise not supported by consideration. A bare promise is not ordinarily legally enforceable.

Example: If a friend promises to give you a gift for your birthday, but then doesn't follow through, this is a bare promise. There was no exchange of anything of value, and therefore the promise is not legally enforceable.

This example illustrates the definition of a bare promise because there was no consideration given in exchange for the promise. In other words, the friend did not receive anything in return for their promise to give a gift, so the promise is not legally binding.