declare

American  

[dih-klair] / dɪˈklɛər /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of declare

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 )

Explanation

If you declare victory, you are ending a war by saying you have won. Hopefully, the other side agrees, or your troops might declare you a fool. To declare is to state clearly and officially. In elections, the government body that counts the votes declares the winner. Until the declaration is made, the results are not official. When you are traveling, you might be asked if you have anything to declare. You're not being asked for a statement of your beliefs, rather they want to know if you bought anything taxable abroad. If you hear your grandmother say, "Well, I declare!" you can be sure she is shocked and offended.

Example Sentences

A rare strain of Ebola virus likely caused 80 deaths in Congo and Uganda, prompting the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has previously stated that Taiwan does not need to declare formal independence because it already sees itself as a sovereign nation.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

But Matthew Szabo, the city administrative officer, said the consequences of L.A. potentially losing its second largest revenue stream would prompt it to immediately declare a fiscal emergency.

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

I think it starts from the same thing that inspired my own hesitation to declare the frozen trucker case absurd when I first heard about it.

From Slate • May 13, 2026

The Reverend will level his gaze and declare, “You have The Verse.”

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

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