Declaim
/dɪˈkleɪm/
verbB2
Definition
Declaim means to say something out loud clearly and with strong emotion, often as if you are performing or giving a speech. People declaim when they want to express their ideas in a powerful and formal way, sometimes in front of an audience.
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See It in Action
To speak loudly and with strong emotion, especially in public or formal settings
- •The student declaimed a famous poem during the school assembly.
- •The politician declaimed his ideas to the crowd with passion.
- •She declaimed against injustice in her speech.
To recite or deliver a speech or poem in a formal, dramatic way
- •Actors declaim their lines so the audience can hear every word.
- •The teacher asked the class to declaim a passage from Shakespeare.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'declaim' like 'say,' but louder and more strongly, as if you are on stage speaking to many people
- ✓Picture someone standing in a big room, using their voice to make their words heard by everyone clearly and with feeling
- ✓It's the feeling you get when you want to convince others or share something important with passion
- ✓Sounds like 'de-CLAIM' → imagine someone claiming (saying strongly) their ideas loudly and clearly to others
- ✓Think of actors in a play or students reciting poems loudly and clearly in class
- ✓NOT like 'whisper' (quiet and soft), declaim is loud and clear
- ✓NOT like 'talk' (normal speaking), declaim is more formal and strong, often with emotion
- ✓NOT like 'read' silently or quietly, declaim is speaking out loud with power
Try Other Words
- •Recite: to say something from memory, often poetry or speeches (Use when emphasizing memory and clear speaking, less about loud emotion)
- •Orate: to speak formally and publicly, often with skill (Use when focusing on formal public speaking, usually longer speeches)
- •Proclaim: to announce something loudly and publicly (Use when the focus is on making an official or important announcement)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: prefix "de-" (often means "down" or "away," but here part of root) + "claim" (to say or shout)
- •Etymology: From Latin "declamare," meaning to shout or speak loudly in public
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe formal public speaking or loud reciting
- •Modern usage: Usually used for formal, dramatic, or emotional speaking, often in literature or speeches
Reflect & Connect
•How does speaking in a loud and emotional way change how people listen to your words?
•Can declaiming be helpful in everyday life, or is it only for special occasions like performances or speeches?
Fill in the blanks
1.When the actor declaimed the poem, he used ___ voice and strong ___ to reach the audience.
2.People often declaim in public to ___ their ideas clearly and with feeling.
3.Unlike normal talking, to declaim means to speak in a ___ and dramatic way.
4.The teacher asked the students to declaim the passage ___ so everyone could hear.
5.Politicians sometimes declaim to ___ support or convince voters.
6.To declaim well, you need to control your ___ and use clear words.
7.When someone declaims, it often means they want to ___ their opinion loudly and strongly.