claim
klaym
Claim (verb) means to state that something is true, often without having proved it yet. Example: “My neighbour claims that he saw a fox in the garden last night.”
verb
1
To state that something is true, often without having proved it yet.
"My neighbour claims that he saw a fox in the garden last night."
"He claims he was home all evening."
"The company claims its product is completely safe."
2
To formally ask for something you believe you are owed or entitled to.
"You can claim a refund if the parcel never arrives."
"Remember to claim your travel expenses before the end of the month."
"She claimed compensation after the flight was cancelled."
noun
1
A statement that something is true, especially one still to be proven.
"The scientist made a bold claim, but she had no evidence yet."
"I find that claim hard to believe without any proof."
"His claim was later shown to be false."
2
A formal request for money, property, or a right one believes is owed.
"He submitted a claim for the water damage to his kitchen ceiling."
"The insurer took three weeks to settle our claim."
"She filed an insurance claim after the accident."
How to use claim
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither saying something is true, or formally asking for something you're owed.
Common pairings
make a claim
claim compensation
lay claim to
insurance claim
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Word forms
- Plural
- claims
- Third person singular
- claims
- Past tense
- claimed
- Archaic forms
- claimest, claimedst, claimeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My neighbour _____ that he saw a fox in the garden last night.
Etymology
From Old French clamer ("to call out, name"), from Latin clāmāre ("to shout").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for claim
See all rhymes for claim →Frequently asked questions
What does “claim” mean?
The word “claim” means to state that something is true, often without having proved it yet. In plain terms, either saying something is true, or formally asking for something you're owed.
How do you pronounce “claim”?
“Claim” is pronounced klaym (/kleɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “claim” in a sentence?
Here is “claim” used in a sentence: “He claims he was home all evening.”
What part of speech is “claim”?
Depending on how it is used, “claim” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “claim” come from?
The word “claim” comes from Latin. From Old French clamer ("to call out, name"), from Latin clāmāre ("to shout").
Is “claim” a common word?
“Claim” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “claim” have?
“Claim” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to state that something is true, often without having proved it yet.
What is the difference between claiming and proving something?
To claim something is to state that it is true; to prove it is to provide evidence that settles the matter. A claim is only a starting assertion and can be wrong, whereas proof establishes the fact beyond reasonable doubt. You can claim anything, but proving it demands support.
Does claiming something make it true?
No. A claim is simply a statement that something is the case, often made before any evidence is offered. It may turn out to be true, false, or unverifiable. This is why careful writers distinguish between what someone merely claims and what has actually been demonstrated or confirmed.
What is an example of a claim?
Saying 'This product is the best on the market' is a claim: it asserts something as true without yet proving it. Everyday examples include a person claiming they finished the work, or an advertiser claiming a cream reduces wrinkles — statements that invite the question, 'Where is the evidence?'
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