declare

[dih-klair]

verb (used with object)

declared, declaring 

1. to make known or state clearly, especially in explicit or formal terms.

   to declare one's position in a controversy.

2. to announce officially; proclaim.

   to declare a state of emergency; to declare a winner.

3. to state emphatically.

   He declared that the allegation was a lie.

   Synonyms: state, asseverate, aver
   Antonyms: deny

4. to manifest; reveal; show.

   Her attendance at the rally declared her political allegiance.

   Synonyms: publish, disclose

5. to make due statement of, especially goods for duty or income for taxation.

6. to make (a dividend) payable.

7. Bridge.,  to bid (a trump suit or no-trump).

verb (used without object)

declared, declaring 

1. to make a declaration.

2. to proclaim oneself (usually followed by for oragainst ).

   He declared against the proposal.

3. Cricket.,  (of a team) to surrender a turn at bat in an innings before ten players are put out.

declare

/ dɪˈklɛə /

verb

1. (may take a clause as object) to make clearly known or announce officially

   to declare one's interests

   war was declared

2. to state officially that (a person, fact, etc) is as specified

   he declared him fit

3. (may take a clause as object) to state emphatically; assert

4. to show, reveal, or manifest

   the heavens declare the glory of God

5. (intr; often foll by for or against) to make known one's choice or opinion

6. to make a complete statement of (dutiable goods, etc)

7. (also intr) cards

   1. to display (a card or series of ards) on the table so as to add to one's score

   2. to decide (the trump suit) by making the final bid

8. (intr) cricket to close an innings voluntarily before all ten wickets have fallen

9. to authorize the payment of (a dividend) from corporate net profit

Other Word Forms

• declarable adjective
• misdeclare verb
• predeclare verb (used with object)
• redeclare verb (used with object)
• undeclarable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of declare¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English declaren, from Latin dēclārāre “to announce, make evident, reveal,” from dē- de- + clārāre “to make clear” (from clārus clear )

Word History and Origins

Origin of declare¹

C14: from Latin dēclārāre to make clear, from clārus bright, clear

Synonym Study

Declare, affirm, assert, protest imply making something known emphatically, openly, or formally. To declare is to make known, sometimes in the face of actual or potential contradiction: to declare someone the winner of a contest. To affirm is to make a statement based on one's reputation for knowledge or veracity, or so related to a generally recognized truth that denial is not likely: to affirm the necessity of high standards. To assert is to state boldly, usually without other proof than personal authority or conviction: to assert that the climate is changing. To protest is to affirm publicly, as if in the face of doubt: to protest that a newspaper account is misleading.

Example Sentences

The incident was declared a major emergency as 186 personnel were deployed to the scene of the hazardous material fire wearing protective gear such as body suits and oxygen masks.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A major incident has been declared as fireworks and gas cylinders are believed to be inside a warehouse on fire in west London.

Read more on BBC

The EA previously declared a critical incident over situation.

Read more on BBC

They were eventually declared dead after a multi-day search even though their bodies were never found - authorities say the search was hampered by bad weather.

Read more on BBC

Three months later, a famine was declared in Gaza City.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• acknowledge 
• advocate 
• affirm 
• announce 
• argue 
• assert 
• claim 
• confirm 
• disclose 
• inform 
• insist 
• maintain 
• proclaim 
• reaffirm 
• repeat 
• reveal 
• stress 
• tell