declare
gb/dɪklˈɛɹ/ us/dɪklˈɛɹ/
B1
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Say something clearly and officially
To say something in a clear and formal way so that people know it is true or you believe it.
Usage pattern:
to declare [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'declare' with 'say' or 'tell'. 'Declare' is more formal and often used in official situations.
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.)
Collocations
declare war
|declare victory
|declare independence
|declare bankruptcy
|declare support
Themes
communication
|law
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The president declared a state of emergency.
- She declared her innocence in court.
- 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.
- She declared that she was happy.
- The man declared he was the owner.
- They declared their love for each other.
- He declared his plan to leave.
Verb
formal
B1
action
2
Officially report goods to customs
To tell customs officers about goods or money you have when you enter a country.
Usage pattern:
to declare [goods/money] at customs
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'say' instead of 'declare' in this context. 'Declare' is the correct official term used at borders.
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.)
Collocations
declare goods
|declare currency
|declare items at customs
Themes
travel
|law
Examples
- You must declare all food items at the border.
- Travelers are required to declare amounts over $10,000.
- He forgot to declare his purchases and was fined.
Learner examples
- I must declare my bag at customs.
- You need to declare these apples.
- She did not declare her money.
- They declared the gifts at the airport.
Verb
B1
action
3
Formally announce a result or decision
To say in an official way what the result or decision is.
Usage pattern:
to declare [something] [adjective/result]
Synonyms
proclaim (More formal and dramatic than 'declare', often ceremonial.)
Antonyms
withhold (Means not to give information, opposite of making it public.)
Collocations
declare results
|declare winner
|declare verdict
Themes
law
|sports
|politics
|communication
Examples
- The judge declared the trial over.
- They declared him the winner of the race.
- The election commission declared the results today.
Learner examples
- The teacher declared the game over.
- They declared her the best singer.
- The judge declared him guilty.
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.