exclaim
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has exclaimedperfect 3rd person singular
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have exclaimedperfect
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are exclaimingprogressive
-
am exclaimingprogressive 1st person singular
-
has been exclaimingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
is exclaimingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
have been exclaimingperfect progressive
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exclaimssingular 3rd person
-
exclaimingparticiple
Past
-
had exclaimedperfect
-
were exclaimingprogressive plural
-
exclaimedparticiple
-
was exclaimingprogressive singular
-
had been exclaimingperfect progressive
-
exclaimedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of exclaim
1560–70; earlier exclame < Latin exclāmāre to cry out. See ex- 1, claim
Explanation
The verb exclaim is from the Latin word exclamare, which means "to cry out." The English meaning is similar, to cry out, but with the added element of a strong emotion such as fear, joy, surprise. In writing, when someone exclaims something, the punctuation mark used to express this vehement outcry is usually the exclamation point: "Stop!" you exclaim when your toddler climbs precariously on a chair stacked with books. "Not in this lifetime!" you cry out when your teenager wants to borrow the new car. You will exclaim "I'm so proud!" when your child graduates college.
Vocabulary lists containing exclaim
Instead of "Said": Words for Upbeat Banter
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The Circuit
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"American Names"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We even had a member at Valhalla exclaim, “For Emily” as he sank his final putt on that historic 18th hole.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026
It saw a raft of stars, including Hugh Jackman and Daniel Radcliffe, soaked over the years and led a sopping-wet Davina McCall to exclaim: "I'm in heaven!"
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
“They Will Kill You” feels like helping my two-year-old niece put together a fairly simple, 12-piece puzzle, and watching her exclaim with delight before asking if we can assemble it again.
From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026
Like newcomers to the experience, they will sit in their chairs, possibly the bleachers, and exclaim when the Hopi butterfly dancer draws near.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2023
I exclaim, a memory forming on the edge of my tongue.
From "A Step from Heaven" by An Na
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
