declare

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitiveformal

   To announce something clearly and with authority, so that everyone knows it, often in public or officially.

   Grammar: Takes an object or that-clause: declare war, declare that it is over.

   Patterns

   • declare something
   • declare that something
   • declare someone to be something

   The president declared a state of emergency.

   The judge declared the contract invalid.

   She declared that she would run for mayor.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To tell officials about goods, money or income that you must report, such as at customs or on a tax return.

   Grammar: Object is the thing reported: declare income.

   Patterns

   • declare something to someone
   • declare something on something

   Travelers must declare any fruit they bring into the country.

   He forgot to declare the extra income on his tax form.

   Do you have anything to declare?

3. 3verbtransitiveformal

   To say something firmly, expressing strong feelings or a strong opinion.

   Grammar: Often followed by a quotation or a clause: she declared that she was done.

   Patterns

   • declare that something
   • declare oneself something

   He declared his love in front of everyone.

   The critic declared the film a masterpiece.

   She declared herself too tired to continue.

4. 4verbintransitivesport

   In cricket, to end your team's innings voluntarily before all players are out.

   Grammar: Used without an object: the captain declared.

   Patterns

   • declare at something

   The captain declared at 300 for 5.

   England declared on the third afternoon.

   He chose not to declare and kept batting.

Word forms

Common combinations

declare war

The country declared war after the attack.

declare independence

The colony declared independence in 1816.

declare a winner

The judges declared a winner after the final round.

declare income

You must declare all your income on the form.

declare an emergency

The governor declared an emergency after the flood.

declare bankruptcy

The company declared bankruptcy last year.

Synonyms and how they differ

announce

Announce means to make something known, while declare adds authority and firmness.

proclaim

Proclaim is more formal and grand, and suggests making something known to a wide public.

state

State is a plain word for saying something clearly, with less force than declare.

assert

Assert means to say confidently that something is true, often against doubt.

Opposites

Word family

declaration noun

an official statement or announcement

declarative adjective

making a statement, as in a declarative sentence

declared adjective

openly stated, as in a declared aim

undeclared adjective

not announced or reported

Commonly confused: declare or declaim?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “declare”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words