How to pronounce declaim
Say it like dih-KLAYM. Declaim has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KLAYM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce declaim. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- KLAYM
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Declaim pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- KLAYMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of declaim
American and British speakers say declaim in essentially the same way: /dɪˈkleɪm/ in the US and /dɪˈkleɪm/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-KLAYM.
What does declaim mean?
- To recite, e.g., poetry, in a theatrical way; to speak for rhetorical display; to speak pompously, noisily, or theatrically; bemouth; to make an empty speech; to rehearse trite arguments in debate; to rant.
- To speak rhetorically; to make a formal speech or oration; specifically, to recite a speech, poem, etc., in public as a rhetorical exercise; to practice public speaking.“The students declaim twice a week.”
- To object to something vociferously; to rail against in speech.
Where does declaim come from?
From Middle French declamer, from Latin dēclāmō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with declaim
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of declaim.
Questions about saying declaim
How do you pronounce declaim?
Say dih-KLAYM. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈkleɪm/. In British English it is /dɪˈkleɪm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in declaim?
Declaim has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (KLAYM). Broken into parts: dih · KLAYM.
Do Americans and Brits say declaim the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dɪˈkleɪm/ and the British form is /dɪˈkleɪm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.