proclaim

/prəˈkleɪm/ (bre, ipa) · /prəˈkleɪm/ (ame, ipa) · /prō-ˈklām prə-/ (ame, mw)

proclaim — verb

  • proclaimpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • proclaimshe / she / it
  • proclaimedpast simple
  • proclaiming-ing form

1. to make an important fact, decision, or belief known to many people in an offici

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to make an important fact, decision, or belief known to many people in an official or formal way, often with ceremony or a sense of importance.

例句

The mayor proclaimed the third of May a public holiday to mark the city's founding.

proclaim + noun phrase + noun phrase (two objects)

Tariq's father proclaimed that the family business would be passed down to the eldest son.

proclaim + that-clause for official announcement

同義詞
  • declare

    also formal and emphatic, but 'declare' can be used more broadly for any forceful statement; 'proclaim' carries a stronger sense of publicity and ceremony.

  • announce

    neutral and very common; 'proclaim' is more formal and implies greater importance or ceremony.

  • pronounce

    used especially in legal, religious, or authoritative contexts such as a judge or priest making a formal statement.

反義詞
  • conceal

    to keep something hidden rather than making it known.

  • suppress

    to prevent information from becoming public.

文法句型

proclaim + noun phrase

proclaim + that-clause

proclaim + noun phrase + noun phrase (two objects)

用法筆記

Frequently used for official or ceremonial announcements by governments, institutions, or other authorities. Less common in everyday conversation — use announce for casual situations.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher proclaimed the test results to the class.
✅The teacher announced the test results to the class.
💡'proclaim' suggests a formal or ceremonial announcement, which makes it sound unnatural for routine school situations.
❌He proclaimed he had seen a ghost.
✅He claimed he had seen a ghost.
💡'proclaim' is for public announcements of important facts, not for personal assertions without evidence.

2. to make a particular quality, feeling, or characteristic clearly visible through

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to make a particular quality, feeling, or characteristic clearly visible through one's actions, appearance, or behaviour.

例句

The cheering crowd proclaimed their support for the injured player as he left the field.

abstract quality (support) made visible through action

Daichi's quiet confidence was proclaimed by the way he handled every question without hesitation.

passive: be proclaimed by + noun phrase

同義詞
  • reveal

    more neutral and common; 'proclaim' is stronger, suggesting the quality is impossible to miss.

  • indicate

    less emphatic; something 'indicates' a fact, while 'proclaim' suggests a clear and vivid display.

  • demonstrate

    more deliberate and intentional than 'proclaim', which can happen unintentionally.

反義詞
  • hide

    to keep a quality or feeling from being seen.

  • mask

    to cover or disguise a quality so it is not visible.

文法句型

proclaim + noun phrase

passive: be proclaimed by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used with an abstract subject (a thing, a situation, or an appearance) rather than a person deliberately showing something. The subject reveals a quality naturally, not through conscious effort.

常見錯誤

❌She proclaimed her new dress to her friends.
✅She showed her new dress to her friends.
💡In this sense, 'proclaim' means a quality becomes visible, not that a person deliberately displays an object.

3. to speak about someone or something with great enthusiasm and admiration in a pu

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to speak about someone or something with great enthusiasm and admiration in a public setting, often highlighting their merits or achievements.

例句

Critics proclaimed the young architect as the most innovative designer of the decade.

proclaim + noun phrase + as + noun phrase

The newspaper editorial proclaimed the bravery of the firefighters who saved the family from the fire.

同義詞
  • extol

    more literary and formal; both suggest enthusiastic public praise, but 'extol' is even rarer.

  • praise

    much more common and can be used in any context; 'proclaim' adds a sense of formality and public ceremony.

  • glorify

    stronger, often with religious or patriotic overtones; 'proclaim' is more neutral in tone.

反義詞
  • criticize

    to express disapproval rather than admiration.

  • condemn

    to express strong public disapproval.

文法句型

proclaim + noun phrase

proclaim + noun phrase + as + noun phrase

用法筆記

Restricted to formal, ceremonial, or literary contexts. In everyday speech, use 'praise' or 'admire' instead.

常見錯誤

❌I proclaimed my friend for helping me move house.
✅I praised my friend for helping me move house.
💡'proclaim' in this sense suggests a public, formal declaration, not casual personal gratitude.