Basic Details
Word: Declare
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To say something officially, firmly or in public so that everyone knows it.
Synonyms: announce, state, proclaim, assert
Antonyms: conceal, hide
Word origin: Comes from Latin declarare, to make clear, from clarus, clear.
How to Spell Declare
Syllables: de - clare
Tricky part: The word ends in are, like care, not air (declair). The first vowel is e.
Watch out for: declair, decleare, diclare
Memory tip: To declare is to make something clear, and the Latin clarus, clear, sits in the middle. Spell the end like care and share.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The umpire will declare the result once the scores are checked.
Example 2: The chief guest stood up to declare the sports day open.
Example 3: You must declare any gold jewellery you carry through customs.
Fun Fact
In Test cricket a captain can declare an innings closed before all the batters are out, to leave enough time to bowl the other side out.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word declare as used in the sentence:
The weather office may declare a red alert for the coastal districts tonight.
a) hide
b) doubt
c) announce
d) delay
Show answer
c) announce. To declare an alert is to announce it publicly.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. confes 2. declare 3. persuaid 4. complane
a) to say you are unhappy about something
b) to state something officially or firmly
c) to make someone agree by giving reasons
d) to admit you did something wrong
Show answer
b) to state something officially or firmly. Confess needs a double s, persuade ends in ade and complain in ain.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
decl_r_
a) a, e
b) e, a
c) e, e
d) a, i
Show answer
a) a, e. The end is spelt like care: a, r, then a silent e.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. If a country declares war, it ____.
a) quietly ends a long war
b) announces that it is at war
c) brings its soldiers home
d) signs a treaty of peace
Show answer
b) announces that it is at war
2. If you declare your support for a team, you ____.
a) forget it soon
b) take it back
c) keep it secret
d) say it openly
Show answer
d) say it openly
