declare

verb

de·​clare di-ˈkler 

declared; declaring

transitive verb

1

a

: to make known formally, officially, or explicitly

publicly declared her opposition to the plan

b

: to make known as a determination

The judge declared the defendant fit to stand trial.

She was declared the rightful heir to the throne.

2

obsolete : to make clear

3

: to make evident : show

… a glimpse of his head in outline … declared his present state of mind.

—Osbert Sitwell

4

: to state emphatically : affirm

declares his innocence

"You are quite a quiz, I do declare!"

—Charles Dickens

5

: to make a full statement of (one's taxable or dutiable property)

Large purchases must be declared at customs.

6

in card games

a

: to make a bid or announcement naming (a trump suit or no-trump)

b

: meld

7

: to make payable

declare a dividend

intransitive verb

1

: to make a declaration

… poetry … evokes rather than merely declares…

—C. S. Kilby

2

: to avow one's opinion or support

declaring for or against a candidate

3

: to announce one's intentions

declared for mayor

a college player who declared for the NBA draft

declarable

di-ˈkler-ə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of declare

• announce
• proclaim
• publish

Choose the Right Synonym for declare

declare, announce, proclaim, promulgate mean to make known publicly.

declare implies explicitness and usually formality in making known.

the referee declared the contest a draw

announce implies the declaration of something for the first time.

announced their engagement at a party

proclaim implies declaring clearly, forcefully, and authoritatively.

the president proclaimed a national day of mourning

promulgate implies the proclaiming of a dogma, doctrine, or law.

promulgated an edict of religious toleration

synonyms see in addition assert

Examples of declare in a Sentence

The government has just declared a state of emergency.

He openly declared his love for her.

They failed to declare all of their earnings on their tax return.

Large purchases must be declared at customs.

Do you have anything to declare?

Recent Examples on the Web

In nearby Anderson in Madison County, Indiana, the mayor declared a local disaster emergency and issued evacuation orders Thursday along the swelling White River and other waterways. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Binface, who was first to declare and already a running joke in British elections, drew the most attention because of his satirical spin on politics and persona as a space alien from the planet Sigma IX. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Continue reading … HOUSE RULES — Comedian declares Hugh Laurie 'can't be canceled' as actor comes to Sophie Cunningham's defense. — FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

Nearly three-quarters of England has been declared in drought, with around 45 million people now living in a drought area, and more than 27 million facing water-use restrictions. — Will Barker, TheWeek, 13 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French declarer, from Latin declarare, from de- + clarare to make visible, from clarus clear — more at clear

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing declare

• declare against
• declare bankruptcy
• declare for
• declare (one's) independence
• declare war

Rhymes for declare

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

declare

verb

de·​clare di-ˈkla(ə)r 

-ˈkle(ə)r

declared; declaring

1

: to make known openly or officially

declare war

2

: to state strongly

declared his innocence

3

: to make a full statement of (taxable property or items on which duty must be paid)

declaratory

-ˈklar-ə-ˌtōr-ē, 

-ˌtȯr-

adjective

declarer noun

Etymology

Middle English declaren "to make clear, make known," from early French declarer (same meaning), from Latin declarare "to make clear," from de- "from" and clarare "to make clear," from clarus "clear, bright" — related to clear

Legal Definition

declare

transitive verb

de·​clare

declared; declaring

1

: to make known formally, officially, or explicitly

declaring who shall then act as President

—U.S. Constitution amend. XX

2

a

: to make a full statement of (one's taxable property)

didn't declare some of his income

b

: to state the value of (one's taxable or dutiable property)

declared the diamond earrings

3

: to make payable

declare dividends

declarer noun