Meaning & use
claim
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To say that something is true, often when you cannot prove it or when others may disagree.
Grammar: Often followed by 'that' or 'to be': he claims that he was away; she claims to be an expert.
Patterns
- claim that something
- claim to be something
- claim to do something
The company claims that its product lasts ten years.
He claims to have met the president.
She claimed she had never seen the letter.
verbtransitive
To ask for or take something as your right, such as money, property or credit.
Grammar: Takes an object: claim benefits, claim a prize.
Patterns
- claim something from someone
- claim something back
You can claim a refund within thirty days.
Nobody came to claim the lost bag.
She claimed her prize at the front desk.
verbtransitiveliterary
To cause the death of a person, usually used for disasters.
Grammar: Used with things like storms or disease as the subject.
Patterns
- claim lives
- claim a victim
The earthquake claimed hundreds of lives.
Flu claimed several residents of the care home.
The fire claimed two historic buildings.
nouncountable
A statement that something is true, especially one that is questioned or not yet proved.
Grammar: Often followed by 'that' or 'of': a claim that it works.
Patterns
- a claim that something
- make a claim
The ad's claim that the cream removes wrinkles was false.
Scientists tested the claim.
His claim of innocence convinced no one.
nouncountable
A formal request for money or compensation under a policy, law or agreement, or a right to something.
Grammar: Used with 'make' or 'file': file an insurance claim.
Patterns
- claim for something
- claim on something
- make a claim
She filed an insurance claim after the flood.
He has a legal claim on the land.
The company rejected my claim for damages.
Word forms
| third person singular | claims |
|---|---|
| past tense | claimed |
| past participle | claimed |
| -ing form | claiming |
| plural | claims |
Common combinations
- claim responsibility
- No group has claimed responsibility.
- make a claim
- You may make a claim if your bag is damaged.
- false claim
- The ad was banned for a false claim.
- claim benefits
- People can claim benefits after losing work.
- insurance claim
- The insurance claim took weeks.
- stake a claim
- She staked a claim to the best seat.
Synonyms and how they differ
- assert
- Assert sounds firmer and more confident, while claim often hints that proof is missing.
- allege
- Allege is used for accusations not yet proved, especially in law, and is stronger than claim.
- maintain
- Maintain means keep saying something despite doubt, so it shows persistence.
- demand
- Demand is a forceful request, whereas claim in the sense of asking for money is more formal and procedural.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: claim or acclaim?
claim vs acclaim
Acclaim means public praise, as in critical acclaim. To claim something is to state it or ask for it.
Practice
The airline refused to pay when she tried to ___ compensation for the delayed flight.
Choose one answer.
To claim compensation is to ask for what you are owed. Declare, proclaim and exclaim relate to speaking out and do not take 'compensation' this way.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “claim”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.