2 syllables: de, clares. Stress on clares.
/dɪˈklɛɚz/
Say it backDeclares is a third-person singular present verb meaning to boldly state or announce something as a fact. It conveys assertiveness and formality, often in official or ceremonial contexts, or in reporting someone’s public assertion. The word emphasizes the act of making information known with confidence and authority.
"The witness declares that she saw nothing suspicious the night of the incident."
"During the press conference, the spokesperson declares the new policy changes."
"He declares his intentions clearly, leaving little room for misunderstanding."
Pronounce as dɪˈkleərz in broad transcription. The primary stress falls on the second syllable: de-CLA-res. Start with a light /d/ followed by a short /ɪ/ in the first syllable. The second syllable uses /kleə/ or /kleər/ depending on accent, ending with a voiced /z/. In careful speech: /dɪˈkleərz/ (US/UK). In US, the diphthong in /kleər/ is more fronted; in UK, it’s closer to /kleə/. In Australian speech, expect a clear /ɪ/ in the first vowel and a slightly more centralized /ə/ in the second nucleus. Mouth position: lips unrounded for /d/, light tongue contact, then the /k/ is a hard stop, /l/ is light, and the vowel glide leads to /eə/ or /əə/, then /z/ with vibrating vocal folds.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing stress on the first syllable (de-CLARES). Correct by stressing the second syllable: /dɪˈkleərz/. 2) Slurring /l/ into the preceding vowel: ensure a distinct /l/ sound before the /ɛə/ glide. 3) Voicing of final consonant: keep the final /z/ as a voiced fricative, not a /s/ or a devoiced /z/. Practice by holding voicing through the end of the word; use minimal pairs like declares vs de-clairs (not a separate word) to reinforce the final /z/.
In US English, /dɪˈklɛərz/ with a rhotic r-influenced vowel in some speakers and a fuller /ɛə/ diphthong. UK English tends to maintain a clearer /eə/ quality; non-rhotic tendencies might drop rhoticity in trailing sounds, but /z/ remains voiced. Australian English usually has a more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable and a slightly flatter /ɪ/ in the first, with a crisp /z/ at the end. Across all: stress on the second syllable, but vowel quality and rhoticity vary; listening to native exemplars helps pin the subtleties.
The difficulty centers on the combination of a stressed second syllable with a rising diphthong in /kleə/ and the final voiced /z/. The /ɪ/ in the first syllable is short and quick, so it can be mispronounced as /iː/ or omitted. Also, the transition from /l/ to /k/ to /l/ to the /eɪ/ sequence requires precise tongue movement. Maintaining voicing for the final /z/ without turning it into /s/ is another common pitfall. Practice the sequence slowly with voice onset and then speed up.
A unique aspect is maintaining the crisp /kl/ cluster after the initial /d/: /dɪˈkleərz/. The /kl/ consonant cluster requires the tongue to release the /k/ just before the /l/ and then glide into the /eə/ syllable. This cluster, combined with the final /z/, creates a very specific timing pattern: a brief stop after /d/, then rapid /k/ + /l/ release into the high-mouth vowel, ending with a voiced fricative. Keep the timing tight but natural.
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Declares derives from the Latin declarare, meaning to show clearly or to reveal. The root de- (completely, thoroughly) + calare (to announce, to proclaim) evolved into the Old French declarer, which passed into Middle English as declarien and then declar, with the modern form declares emerging in the early modern period as the verb for making formal or emphatic statements. The sense shifted from “to make it clear” to the more forceful “to state publicly or formally.” The word has long carried legal, religious, and rhetorical weight, often appearing in statutes, sermons, and speeches. Its usage expanded in English to describe not only factual statements but also proclamations or declarations of intent, belief, or policy. First known uses in historical records appear in 14th–15th century legal and ecclesiastical texts, where officials or clerics proclaimed edicts, charters, or vows. Over time, “declares” retained its formal register, frequently appearing in journalism and formal writing to signal an authoritative assertion. In contemporary usage, it can convey clarity and conviction, or serve as a stylistic choice to emphasize certainty. The word is productive in compound forms (declares, declared, declaring), and remains common in both narrative and expository English across varieties.
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Words that rhyme with "declares"
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