declare
gb/dɪklˈɛɹ/ us/dɪklˈɛɹ/
B1
English
~ 1600
kijelent, bejelent, kinyilvánít, kihirdet, nyilvánít
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to declare [something]
The president declared a state of emergency.
Az elnök szükségállapotot hirdetett ki.
She declared her innocence in court.
A bíróságon kijelentette, hogy ártatlan.
The company declared record profits this year.
The country declared independence in 1960.
He declared his candidacy for mayor.
Learner examples
The teacher declared the start of the test.
A tanár bejelentette, hogy kezdődik a teszt.
She declared that she was happy.
Kijelentette, hogy boldog.
The man declared he was the owner.
They declared their love for each other.
He declared his plan to leave.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'declare' with 'say' or 'tell'. 'Declare' is more formal and often used in official situations.
Meaning
Say something clearly and officially
Collocations
declare war
|declare victory
|declare independence
|declare bankruptcy
|declare support
Synonyms
announce (Often used for making information public, sometimes less formal than 'declare'.)
Antonyms
deny (Means to refuse to admit or state something, opposite of affirming or stating it.)
Themes
communication
|law
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say something in a clear and formal way so that people know it is true or you believe it.
To make a clear and formal statement about something, often in an official or public way.
VERB
B1
FORMAL
2
bejelent
B1
Usage pattern:
to declare [goods/money] at customs
You must declare all food items at the border.
A határon minden élelmiszert be kell jelenteni.
Travelers are required to declare amounts over $10,000.
Az utasoknak be kell jelenteniük a 10 000 dollárt meghaladó készpénzösszegeket.
He forgot to declare his purchases and was fined.
Learner examples
I must declare my bag at customs.
A vámnál be kell jelentenem a táskámat.
You need to declare these apples.
Ezeket az almákat be kell jelentened a vámnál.
She did not declare her money.
They declared the gifts at the airport.
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'say' instead of 'declare' in this context. 'Declare' is the correct official term used at borders.
Meaning
Officially report goods to customs
Collocations
declare goods
|declare currency
|declare items at customs
Synonyms
report (In this context, means to give information to authorities; less formal than 'declare'.)
Antonyms
conceal (Means to hide something, the opposite of reporting it openly.)
Themes
travel
|law
Definition
To tell customs officers about goods or money you have when you enter a country.
To officially inform customs authorities about goods or money you are bringing into a country.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to declare [something] [adjective/result]
The judge declared the trial over.
A bíró lezártnak nyilvánította a tárgyalást.
They declared him the winner of the race.
Őt nyilvánították a verseny győztesének.
The election commission declared the results today.
Learner examples
The teacher declared the game over.
A tanár bejelentette, hogy vége a játéknak.
They declared her the best singer.
Őt nyilvánították a legjobb énekesnőnek.
The judge declared him guilty.
Meaning
Formally announce a result or decision
Collocations
declare results
|declare winner
|declare verdict
Synonyms
proclaim (More formal and dramatic than 'declare', often ceremonial.)
Antonyms
withhold (Means not to give information, opposite of making it public.)
Themes
law
|sports
|politics
|communication
Definition
To say in an official way what the result or decision is.
To formally state an official result, decision, or judgment.
Grammar
Dictionary form
declare
IPA
GB/dɪklˈɛɹ/
US/dɪklˈɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
de - clare (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (clare)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: declare
- 3rd Person Singular: declares
- Present Participle: declaring
- Past: declared
Word family
Forms
declares
verb
declaring
verb
declared
verb
Core family
declaration
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
undeclared
adjective
Advanced or less common
declarative
adjective
declarable
adjective
Expressions
declare war
1/dɪklˈɛɹ wˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase
Formally announce starting a war
To officially say that your country will fight another country.
Examples
- The country declared war on its neighbor after the attack.
- They decided not to declare war despite tensions.
declare bankruptcy
1/dɪklˈɛɹ bˈæŋkɹəpsi/
fixed phrase
Formally state inability to pay debts
To officially say in court that you cannot pay your debts.
Examples
- The company declared bankruptcy after years of losses.
- She declared bankruptcy after years of financial trouble.
- He had to declare bankruptcy due to medical bills.
- The business declared bankruptcy in 2020.
declare independence
1/dɪklˈɛɹ ˌɪndɪpˈɛndəns/
fixed phrase
Formally announce freedom from control
To officially say that a country is free from another country's control.
Examples
- The colony declared independence in 1960.
- The region declared independence after the referendum.
- The province voted to declare independence after years of conflict.
- They declared independence from the federation after years of conflict.
- Several colonies declared independence in the 18th century.
- Several leaders gathered to declare independence from the empire.