claim
Noun pluralclaims
Formsclaims, claiming, claimed
Pluralclaims
- 1To say something is true, usually without giving evidence.
Like saying you won a game but showing no one the score.
Some people claim the medicine cures everything.
She claims she met the president last year.
UsageSay claim that something is true, or claim to be something: he claims to be a doctor.
Similarassert, allege, maintain, contend, insist
Oppositedeny
- 2Something someone says is true, often before anyone has proved it.
Like a guess you say out loud as if it were already true.
Her claim that the water was safe turned out to be wrong.
The company's claims about fast results were never tested.
UsageOften the claim that something is true. Calling it a claim can suggest doubt about whether it is true.
Similarassertion, allegation, contention, statement
Oppositedenial
- 3A formal request for money you should get, for example from an insurance company or a court.
He filed a claim against the driver who hit him.
The workers won their claim in court and were paid for their injuries.
UsageSay make or file a claim: a claim for damages, a claim against someone.
Oppositewaiver
Note
- 4To say that something is yours and ask for it or take it, such as land or a right.
Like putting your name on something to show it is yours.
Passengers can claim their bags at the front desk.
She claimed the empty seat by putting her coat on it.
UsageSay claim something as yours, or claim your bags at the airport.
Similardemand
Oppositeconcede
Note
- 5A statement that something, such as land, a title, or credit, is rightly yours.
Like raising your hand to say a toy belongs to you.
Nobody came forward to lay claim to the money found on the bus.
Their claims to the land caused a long fight.
UsageSay a claim to something, and lay claim to it when you say it is yours.
Similardemand
Oppositerenunciation
- 6
- 7To formally ask for money you should get, for example from an insurance company, your employer or a court.
Like asking a judge to make someone pay you back.
You can claim money for the damage to your car.
She claimed compensation after the accident at work.
UsageSay claim money or claim for a loss: claim expenses, claim for lost wages.
Similarseek
Oppositewaive
- 8To cause something or someone to be lost or destroyed.
Like a flood washing away everything in its path.
The storm claimed dozens of homes along the coast.
A long illness can claim even the strongest person.
UsageOften a storm, fire or illness claims lives: the fire claimed two homes.
Note
- 9A good reason or right to ask for something.
Like having the right to a turn because you waited in line.
She has a real claim to the award after all her work.
Their claims to leadership rest on family tradition.
UsageSay a claim to a prize or title, and a claim on someone's time.
Similarright, title, entitlement
- 10
Less common meanings
- 11A piece of land, often for mining, that someone marks out and records as theirs to use.
Like calling a seat 'mine' before anyone sits there.
The prospector staked his claim along the creek.
Their claims covered the whole valley.
UsageMiners stake a claim. People also stake a claim to other things they want.
Similarconcession
Note
- 12
- 13To have a right to something through another person or under a legal document, such as a will.
Like having a ticket that lets you join the line.
They claim through their grandfather, who bought the farm many years ago.
Several relatives claimed under the old will.
UsageUsed with under a paper or through a person: claim under a will.
Note
- 14To announce something publicly.
Note
- 15To call someone or something by a name.
Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin clamare, "to call or cry out," which came into English through Old French.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Claim ultimately derives from Latin clamare through Old French. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin clamare means ‘to call or cry out’. en.wiktionary.org