declare
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To announce something formally, officially, or explicitly.
To make a statement or reveal something clearly; to state emphatically; to acknowledge possession of taxable goods or income; to proclaim a decision.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a clear, deliberate, and often public announcement. Stronger and more formal than 'say' or 'state'. Often used in legal, governmental, financial, and sports contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use 'declare' in legal, customs, and official contexts identically. In cricket (UK) and baseball (US), 'declare' has sport-specific uses.
Connotations
Slightly more formal/constitutional in UK English (e.g., 'declare war', 'declare an interest'). In US English, common in tax context ('declare income').
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
declare + that-clausedeclare + objectdeclare + object + (to be) + complementdeclare + for/against + objectdeclare + object + to/at + customsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “declare your hand”
- “declare an interest”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To officially state financial results or bankruptcy (e.g., 'The company declared a dividend').
Academic
To formally state a thesis or position in writing (e.g., 'The author declares her argument in the introduction').
Everyday
To state a personal decision or feeling emphatically (e.g., 'I declare this the best cake ever!').
Technical
In programming, to state the properties of a variable or function.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The captain decided to declare the innings closed.
- You must declare any excess currency at customs.
- The MP was forced to declare his financial interest.
American English
- The governor will declare a state of emergency.
- Remember to declare all tips on your tax return.
- The team is ready to declare victory.
adverb
British English
- No common adverbial use.
American English
- No common adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival use.
American English
- No common adjectival use.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher declared the winner.
- I declare this room tidy!
- The president declared a national holiday.
- You must declare any food you bring into the country.
- The company declared a profit for the third quarter.
- She declared her intention to run for office.
- The judge declared the contract null and void.
- Several nations have now declared their support for the sanctions.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a town CRIER who DECLARES news loudly. DECLARE sounds like 'clear' – you make something clear to everyone.
Conceptual Metaphor
STATEMENTS ARE PUBLIC DECREES (issuing a declaration is like issuing a law).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'decide' (решить).
- In customs context, translates as 'заявить', not 'объявить' for goods.
- 'Declare war' is 'объявить войну', but 'declare income' is 'задекларировать доход'.
Common Mistakes
- He declared to go home. (Incorrect. Correct: He declared that he would go home.)
- I declared my luggage. (Ambiguous. Better: I declared my goods at customs.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'declare' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Declare' is more formal, official, and emphatic, often involving authority or a final decision (declare war, declare bankruptcy). 'Announce' is more general for making something known (announce a meeting, announce a birth).
Yes, but often for humorous or emphatic effect (e.g., 'I declare this the best day ever!'). It adds a sense of ceremony to a simple statement.
No. It's typically followed by a that-clause, a noun object, or an object + complement (e.g., 'He declared the meeting closed', 'She declared that she was innocent').
It is a formal phrase meaning to officially state a personal or financial involvement in something, especially to avoid bias (common in business and politics).