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 (as to run for political office)

declared for mayor

declarable

di-ˈkler-ə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• 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

Lloyd Weil, Akron’s mayor, had declared a holiday, freeing from their desks and assembly lines those workers lucky enough to have jobs during the depths of the Great Depression. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Sep. 2025

One word consistently was mentioned among the stars attending Thursday’s Kering Foundation Caring for Women Dinner at New York’s The Pool restaurant and event space — hope, a word and emotion many declared was more vital than ever. —Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025

Now, the same institutions once intimidated by authoritarian power have declared that a former commander-in-chief conspired to revoke the 2022 election, assassinate rivals, and eventually unleash street chaos to hold on to power. —Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025

Many leading automobile companies, like Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki, have already declared price cuts, passing on the benefits of the tax cuts to customers. —Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025

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