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verb B1 Intermediate Uncommon

proclaim

proh-KLAYM

Proclaim (verb) means to announce something publicly and formally. Example: “The king proclaimed a national holiday.”

verb
1
To announce something publicly and formally.
"The king proclaimed a national holiday."
"She proudly proclaimed herself the winner."

How to Use Proclaim

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo announce something openly and with authority or confidence.

Common pairings
proclaim independence proclaim victory proclaim a holiday

Word Forms

proclaimed past tense, proclaims singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The king _____ a national holiday.

Etymology

From Latin prōclāmō, "to shout forth," from prō- ("forth") + clāmō ("to shout"); its spelling was later reshaped by the related word claim.

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for proclaim

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “proclaim” mean?

The word “proclaim” means to announce something publicly and formally. In plain terms, to announce something openly and with authority or confidence.

How do you pronounce “proclaim”?

“Proclaim” is pronounced proh-KLAYM (/pɹoʊˈkleɪm/ in IPA).

How do you use “proclaim” in a sentence?

Here is “proclaim” used in a sentence: “The king proclaimed a national holiday.”

What is another word for “proclaim”?

Words with a similar meaning to “proclaim” include make known.

What part of speech is “proclaim”?

“Proclaim” is a verb.

Where does the word “proclaim” come from?

The word “proclaim” comes from Latin. From Latin prōclāmō, "to shout forth," from prō- ("forth") + clāmō ("to shout"); its spelling was later reshaped by the related word claim.

Is “proclaim” a common word?

“Proclaim” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

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