Declare: meaning, definitions and examples

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declare

[dɪˈklɛː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

formal

State emphatically or authoritatively. Make known or state clearly, especially in explicit or formal terms.

Synonyms

affirm, announce, assert, proclaim.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
declare	Used in formal contexts when making an official or public statement. Often related to legal, political, or formal scenarios. The president declared a state of emergency. She declared her intention to run for mayor.
announce	Used when making something known publicly, especially news or information. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The company announced its new product line. They announced their engagement at the party.
proclaim	Used when making a formal or emphatic announcement, often with a grand or ceremonious tone. The king proclaimed a new law. They proclaimed their love to the world.
assert	Used when stating something confidently or forcefully, often implying a strong belief or opinion. Can sometimes have a negative connotation if perceived as too forceful. He asserted his dominance in the conversation. She asserted her right to speak.
affirm	Used when confirming or asserting something as true, often in a supportive or positive sense. He affirmed his commitment to the project. The witness affirmed that the story was true.

Examples of usage

The Prime Minister declared his intention to resign.
The company declared a profit of $10 million for the quarter.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

legal

Officially announce or proclaim. State that one has a particular legal status or condition.

Synonyms

adjudge, pronounce, rule.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
declare	Usually used when someone officially states something clearly and publicly, often used in formal or official announcements. The president will declare a state of emergency. They declare their love for each other in front of everyone.
pronounce	Commonly used when giving a formal or authoritative opinion or decision. It can also mean to state something in a particular way. The judge will pronounce the sentence tomorrow. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
adjudge	Often used in legal contexts to mean officially deciding or ruling that something is true after considering it carefully. The court will adjudge him guilty. The board adjudged the complaints as valid.
rule	Typically used in legal or regulatory contexts to mean making a decision or judgement that must be followed. The court ruled in favor of the defendant. The committee will rule on the matter next week.

Examples of usage

The court declared the defendant guilty.
The document declared him to be the rightful heir.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

formal

A formal or explicit statement or announcement.

Synonyms

announcement, pronouncement, statement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
declare	Used when someone wants to officially express something or announce it publicly. Can be used in legal, formal, or public contexts. The president declared a state of emergency. She declared her intention to run for office.
announcement	Used for making something known publicly, typically through formal or official channels. Suitable for both serious and casual situations. There was an announcement over the loudspeaker about the train delay. They made an official announcement about the new CEO.
statement	A general term for expressing information, opinions, or facts. Can range from formal declarations to casual remarks. The police issued a statement regarding the incident. Her statement was clear and concise.
pronouncement	Used in formal contexts to indicate an authoritative or official statement. Often used in legal situations or significant, formal declarations. The judge's pronouncement shocked everyone in the courtroom. The CEO's pronouncement about the company's future left the employees worried.

Examples of usage

The declaration of war shocked the nation.
She made a public declaration of her love for him.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'declarare', which means to make clear or to reveal.
It entered Middle English from the Old French 'declarer', emphasizing its announcement aspect.
In various languages, similar words like 'declarar' (Spanish) and 'déclarer' (French) reflect the same meaning of making something known.

Historical Context

The Declaration of Independence in 1776 is one of the most famous uses of the term, announcing freedom from British rule.
Various historical documents have used this word to denote significant announcements, such as peace treaties and laws.
In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was declared, granting women the right to vote.

Pop Culture

In many movies, a character often declares their love or intentions in climactic scenes, showcasing emotional truths.
Reality shows often have contestants making bold declarations to show their plans or feelings toward other participants.
Songs like 'I Will Always Love You' often contain declarations of affection, making it a popular theme in music.

Psychology

Making a declaration can have a psychological impact, increasing a person's commitment to that promise or statement.
In social settings, declaring a goal can lead to greater accountability and social support from friends and families.
Studies have shown that verbalizing intentions can enhance one's motivation and likelihood of following through.

Literature

Authors often use declarations to develop characters, revealing their true thoughts and motivations through pivotal statements.
In poetry, declarations of love, war, or identity often serve as turning points that evoke strong emotional responses.
Famous works, like Shakespeare's soliloquies, frequently feature declarations that expose inner conflicts and desires.

Translations

Translations of the word "declare" in other languages:

🇵🇹 declarar

🇮🇳 घोषणा करना

🇩🇪 erklären

🇮🇩 menyatakan

🇺🇦 оголошувати

🇵🇱 deklarować

🇯🇵 宣言する (せんげんする)

🇫🇷 déclarer

🇪🇸 declarar

🇹🇷 ilan etmek

🇰🇷 선언하다

🇸🇦 يعلن

🇨🇿 prohlásit

🇸🇰 vyhlásiť

🇨🇳 声明

🇸🇮 razglasiti

🇮🇸 lýsa yfir

🇰🇿 жариялау

🇬🇪 განცხადება

🇦🇿 elan etmək

🇲🇽 declarar

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,968, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

...
3965 quietly
3966 inevitable
3967 enforce
3968 declare
3969 configuration
3970 prospect
3971 odd
...