declare

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verb de·clare \di-ˈkler\

Definition of declare

declared

;

declaring

transitive verb
1a : to make known formally, officially, or explicitly publicly declared her opposition to the planb : 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

play \-ˈkler-ə-bəl\ adjective

See declare defined for English-language learners

See declare defined for kids

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?

Origin and Etymology of declare

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

Synonym Discussion of 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

DECLARE Defined for English Language Learners

declare

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verb

Definition of declare for English Language Learners

: to say or state (something) in an official or public way
: to say (something) in a strong and confident way
: to tell the government about (money you have earned or received) in order to pay taxes

DECLARE Defined for Kids

declare

play

verb de·clare \di-ˈkler\

Definition of declare for Students

declared

;

declaring

1 : to make known in a clear or formal way The judges declared the race a tie.
2 : to state as if certain “I look and smell,” Aunt Sponge declared, “as lovely as a rose!” — Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach

Law Dictionary

declare

transitive verb de·clare

Legal Definition of declare

declared

declaring

1 : to make known formally, officially, or explicitly declaring who shall then act as President — U.S. Constitution amend. XX
2a : 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