Explanation at your level:
To announce means to tell people something. You might announce a party or a game. It is like saying, 'Listen everyone, I have news!' You use this word when you want a group of people to hear you.
When you announce, you share news with others. For example, a teacher might announce the date of a test. It is a clear and official way to give information to a class or a group of friends.
You use announce when the information is important or meant for a large group. It is more formal than just 'telling' someone. Companies announce new products, and governments announce new laws to keep the public informed.
The verb announce carries a sense of authority or significance. It implies that the information was previously unknown or restricted. It is the standard term in journalism and business for public declarations, distinguishing it from casual conversation.
In advanced contexts, announce can be used to describe how circumstances or events 'announce' a change, such as 'The cold wind announced the coming of winter.' This figurative use demonstrates a high level of control over the word's nuanced meaning.
Etymologically, announce links to the Latin nuntius, highlighting the historical role of the messenger. In literary and academic discourse, it is used to signify the formal initiation of a state of affairs, often carrying a weight of finality or historical importance.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Announce means to share information publicly.
- It is more formal than 'tell'.
- It is used for official declarations.
- The noun form is 'announcement'.
When you announce something, you are essentially letting the world—or at least a specific group of people—know about a piece of information. Think of it like being the person who stands up in a room to share a big secret or a planned event.
It is not just whispering to a friend; it carries a sense of publicity or formality. Whether it is a company sharing a new product launch or a friend sharing their engagement, the act of announcing marks the transition from keeping information private to making it common knowledge.
The word announce has a fascinating journey through history. It traces back to the Latin word annuntiare, which is a combination of ad- (meaning 'to') and nuntiare (meaning 'to report' or 'to tell').
It entered the English language via Old French in the 14th century. Interestingly, it is related to the word nuncio, which refers to a papal messenger. Over time, it evolved from simply 'bringing a message' to the specific act of making a formal public declaration that we recognize today.
You will often see announce used in professional settings, such as announcing a new policy or announcing the winner of a competition. It is a versatile verb that fits perfectly in both corporate boardrooms and casual social media posts.
Common pairings include 'announce a decision,' 'announce plans,' and 'announce the arrival.' Because it implies a one-to-many communication, it is rarely used for private, one-on-one conversations where 'tell' or 'inform' would be more natural.
While 'announce' itself isn't the core of many idioms, it appears in phrases like 'announce one's presence' (to make it known you have arrived) or 'announce to the world' (to tell everyone publicly). You might also hear people say 'the writing is on the wall' when an announcement feels inevitable.
Another common expression is 'make an announcement', which is the noun-phrase equivalent. These phrases help add weight to the news being delivered.
The verb announce is regular, forming its past tense as announced. In terms of pronunciation, the stress is on the second syllable: /ə-NOUNS/. Be careful not to confuse the ending sound; it ends with a soft 's' sound, not a 'z'.
It is often followed by a 'that' clause, as in 'He announced that the meeting was canceled.' It can also be followed by a noun phrase, such as 'The company announced a merger.'
Fun Fact
The word is related to 'nuncio', the official messenger of the Pope.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'a' sound, followed by 'noun' and 's'.
Similar to UK, slightly more rhotic 'r' if present in context.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as 'a-noons'
- Mixing up the 's' and 'z' sound
- Stressing the first syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Reported Speech
He announced that he was happy.
Passive Voice
The news was announced.
Verb Patterns
He announced the plan to me.
Examples by Level
The teacher will announce the winner.
teacher / will / say / winner
Future tense
I announce my arrival.
I / say / I am here
Present simple
They announce the news.
They / tell / news
Subject-verb agreement
She announces the date.
She / tells / the day
Third person singular
He will announce the plan.
He / will / say / plan
Future intent
We announce the start.
We / say / start
Simple present
Please announce your name.
Please / say / name
Imperative
They announce the party.
They / tell / party
Simple present
The airline announced a delay.
She announced her retirement today.
The captain announced the flight path.
They announced the new store opening.
He announced his candidacy for mayor.
The school announced a holiday.
We announced the results at noon.
The radio announced the weather.
The company announced a significant increase in profits.
The president announced a new policy regarding trade.
They announced the engagement on social media.
The host announced the next guest on stage.
She announced her intention to resign.
The police announced a search for the suspect.
The committee announced the final decision.
The museum announced a new art exhibition.
The discovery of the tomb was announced to the public.
He announced his presence with a loud knock.
The silence was announced by the dimming of the lights.
They announced their arrival with a fanfare.
The government announced a series of austerity measures.
She announced the winner with great enthusiasm.
The firm announced a restructuring plan.
The change in weather was announced by the darkening sky.
The sudden silence announced an impending conflict.
The bloom of the cherry trees announced the arrival of spring.
His tone announced his complete disapproval of the plan.
The headlines announced a major shift in the political landscape.
The bell announced the end of the session.
The report announced a decline in global temperatures.
She announced her departure with a brief note.
The results announced a new era of research.
The herald announced the king's arrival with a trumpet blast.
The sudden drop in pressure announced the coming storm.
His stoic expression announced a lack of concern.
The findings announced a paradigm shift in the field.
The decree was announced throughout the city square.
The dawn announced the end of the long vigil.
The silence announced the gravity of the situation.
The data announced a clear trend toward automation.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"announce to the world"
To tell everyone publicly.
She wanted to announce to the world that she was happy.
neutral"make an announcement"
To perform the act of announcing.
The principal will make an announcement soon.
neutral"announce one's presence"
To show you have arrived.
He entered the room and announced his presence with a cough.
neutral"sound the alarm"
To announce danger.
We must sound the alarm about the fire.
neutral"break the news"
To tell someone bad or important news.
It was hard to break the news to him.
neutral"herald the arrival"
To announce something coming.
The flowers herald the arrival of spring.
literaryEasily Confused
Both mean to share info.
Inform is for specific people; announce is for the public.
I informed my boss; I announced the policy.
Both are formal.
Declare is stronger/legal.
He declared his love; he announced the winner.
Both involve sharing.
Broadcast is via media.
They broadcast the news.
Both make things public.
Publish is for print/media.
They published the book.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + announce + that + clause
She announced that she was leaving.
Subject + announce + noun
They announced the winner.
Subject + announce + noun + to + recipient
He announced the news to the staff.
It + be + announced + that + clause
It was announced that the store would close.
Subject + be + announced + as + noun
The winner was announced as John.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Announce cannot take a direct indirect object like 'tell'.
Backshifting is required in reported speech.
Announce doesn't always need 'to everyone' as it is implied.
Same as mistake 1; incorrect object structure.
News reports, people announce.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a town crier in your kitchen.
Native Speakers
Used when news is official.
Cultural Insight
Often used in press conferences.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'to' when indicating the receiver.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'NOUN' part.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'announce me'.
Did You Know?
It comes from 'nuncio'.
Study Smart
Read news headlines.
Writing Tip
Use it to start a paragraph.
Speaking Tip
Use it to grab attention.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A 'noun' is a thing; to 'a-noun-ce' is to name that thing to the public.
Visual Association
A person standing on a stage with a microphone.
Word Web
Challenge
Announce your plan for the day to a friend.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: To bring a message to.
Cultural Context
None, it is a neutral term.
Commonly used in media, politics, and corporate life.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- announce a meeting
- announce a project
- announce a change
at school
- announce the test
- announce the holiday
- announce the winner
in the news
- announce the policy
- announce the results
- announce the arrival
in social life
- announce the engagement
- announce the party
- announce the arrival
Conversation Starters
"What is the biggest news you have ever had to announce?"
"Do you prefer to announce things in person or online?"
"Have you ever heard a famous person announce something important?"
"How does a company announce a new product?"
"Why do people like to announce their achievements?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to announce something important.
Describe how you would announce a big life change.
If you could announce one thing to the world, what would it be?
How do you feel when you hear an official announcement?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, announce is more formal and public.
Usually no, as announcing makes it public.
Announcement.
Yes, it ends in -ed for past tense.
uh-NOUNS.
It is better to use 'tell' for one person.
Yes, very frequently.
No, it is a verb.
Test Yourself
The teacher will ___ the winner.
Announce is the correct verb for sharing news.
What does announce mean?
It means to share information.
You can announce a secret to one person in a whisper.
Announcing implies public or formal sharing.
Word
Meaning
Matching synonyms and opposites.
Subject-verb-object structure.
The company ___ a new merger.
Context requires a verb for sharing news.
Which is a synonym for announce?
Proclaim is a formal synonym.
The wind can announce the winter.
Figurative usage is possible.
Poetic structure.
What is the etymology?
It comes from Latin annuntiare.
Score: /10
Summary
Announce is the standard way to make information known to a group or the public.
- Announce means to share information publicly.
- It is more formal than 'tell'.
- It is used for official declarations.
- The noun form is 'announcement'.
Memory Palace
Imagine a town crier in your kitchen.
Native Speakers
Used when news is official.
Cultural Insight
Often used in press conferences.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'to' when indicating the receiver.
Example
I'm happy to announce that our team won the competition.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
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