exclaim
Americanverb (used without object)
-
exclaims,
present (3rd person singular)
-
exclaimed,
past participle, past
-
exclaiming
present participle
verb (used with object)
-
exclaims,
present (3rd person singular)
-
exclaimed,
past participle, past
-
exclaiming
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
exclaimsimple
-
exclaimssimple
-
have exclaimedperfect
-
has exclaimedperfect
-
am exclaimingprogressive
-
are exclaimingprogressive
-
is exclaimingprogressive
-
have been exclaimingperfect progressive
-
has been exclaimingperfect progressive
Past
-
exclaimedsimple
-
had exclaimedperfect
-
was exclaimingprogressive
-
were exclaimingprogressive
-
had been exclaimingperfect progressive
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.
See Examples For:
I hear my 5-year-old son proudly exclaim, nearly out of breath.
From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026
His goal was to make burgers large enough to require two hands, and good enough to make the eater exclaim “What a burger.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 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
Even President Donald Trump attended events in the 90s, says Evans, who once saw him sit on a golden throne at Combs's 30th birthday and exclaim: "I'm the real King of New York!"
From BBC ● Feb. 5, 2025
I exclaim after I sign the gist of the announcement to Autumn.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
"Hey, I know you!" exclaims Paul McCartney, gripping my hand as we walk into his office in central London.
From BBC ● May 27, 2026
Napoleon exclaims during an extended instance of flatulence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026
"She is!" exclaims Bird, 38, breaking into a broad smile.
From Barron's ● Apr. 10, 2026
While watching the singular feat, Eden exclaims, “Call the news channels! We found a person who can actually levitate!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2026
“Oh!” my mom exclaims, reaching to switch off the burner and uncover the pot as the water comes streaming down the sides.
From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden
"You are such a good singer," the Canadian performer exclaimed.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
"How wonderful," exclaimed a woman in the crowd.
From Barron's ● Aug. 12, 2026
“HE DID?” one New York politico exclaimed when I asked him about Trump’s attending the memorial.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
Scimemi exclaimed as she leapt forward, earning a big laugh from a classroom full of colleagues.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 4, 2026
Before she could respond, he grinned wide and exclaimed, “Good Perun to you!”
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
To prove that point, Sugarman asked Spelling to send her a photo of the current state of her home, then exclaiming, “Oh, it’s not good,” when she saw the image.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 20, 2026
But Warner had to explain somehow its decision Tuesday to resume talks after closing the bidding weeks ago, exclaiming to shareholders and the public that Netflix’s offer was superior.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 2026
"Sona's been one of the most popular social media posts - with people expressing surprise and huge excitement, exclaiming: 'Like, what, what? How is this possible?'"
From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2025
An animated clip of Arthur’s sister D.W. on her bike followed a week later, exclaiming, “We ride at dawn for PBS . . . Who’s riding with us?”
From Salon ● May 18, 2025
Helene goes for hers like a jewel thief for rubies, holding the bracers to the light, exclaiming at how Blackcliff s diamond symbol is seamlessly hammered into the shield.
From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir
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.
