claim
claim — verb
1. to state something as true without offering proof, especially when others may do
to state something as true without offering proof, especially when others may doubt or disagree with what you say
Several witnesses claim they saw the man leave the building before midnight.
claim + that-clause for stating something unproven
The company's website claims its software can detect security threats instantly.
No one has ever claimed to have solved the puzzle before today.
claim + to-infinitive pattern
Aiko claims she climbed the mountain in under five hours.
Tomás claimed all the credit for the team's success at the conference.
collocation: claim credit for
- claim credit for
- claim responsibility for
- claim victory
- claim to know
- claim + that-clause
- assert
more formal and forceful than claim; suggests confidence without necessarily requiring evidence
- allege
often used in legal contexts, implying the statement has not yet been proved in court
- maintain
suggests keeping to a position despite opposition or doubt from others
- declare
more emphatic and official than claim; often used for public announcements
Grammar Patterns
claim + that-clause
claim + to-infinitive
claim + direct object (e.g., credit, responsibility)
Usage Note
Commonly followed by a that-clause or a to-infinitive. The that-clause version is more frequent in everyday speech. The object can be an abstract noun such as credit, responsibility, or victory.
Common Mistakes
2. to declare that a group or business has a certain number of people or items asso
to declare that a group or business has a certain number of people or items associated with it, without necessarily proving the figure
The union claims over fifty thousand members across the country.
claim + number + of + members
That fitness app claims more than ten million downloads since last year.
The charity claims branches in over thirty countries around the world.
claim + branches/offices + location
The museum claims a collection of more than two thousand ancient artifacts.
The political party claims the support of most young voters in this region.
claim + the support of + group of people
- claim + number + of + members
- claim + users/downloads
- claim + branches/offices
- claim + the support of
- claim + a collection of
Grammar Patterns
claim + number + of + noun (e.g., members, users, branches)
claim + noun (e.g., support, collection)
Usage Note
Subject is usually an organization, company, political party, or similar group. The claim often involves a number or statistic that is difficult to verify independently.
3. to demand or take possession of what belongs to you by law or fairness, such as
to demand or take possession of what belongs to you by law or fairness, such as lost items, winnings, or ownership rights
Theo claimed his lost suitcase at the airport lost-property office.
claim + [belonging] + at [location]
No one came forward to claim the prize money from the lottery draw.
claim + [prize/winnings]
Hana claimed back the full cost of the damaged goods from the store.
phrasal: claim back + [cost] from [party]
Leila plans to claim a tax deduction for her home office expenses.
The farmer claimed ownership of the land after farming it for fifty years.
claim + ownership of + [property]
- claim + lost luggage
- claim + prize money
- claim back + cost
- claim + tax deduction
- claim + ownership of
- relinquish
to give up a right or claim to something
- waive
to choose not to demand or enforce a right
Grammar Patterns
claim + object (e.g., lost property, prize, money)
claim + back + object
claim + ownership/right to + object
Usage Note
Can be used with 'back' as a phrasal verb (claim back) when asking for a refund or return of money previously paid. The object is often a physical item or a sum of money that the speaker is entitled to.
Common Mistakes
4. to make a formal written request to a government department, insurance company,
to make a formal written request to a government department, insurance company, or other organization for money you believe they owe you
Priya claimed unemployment benefits after losing her job last month.
claim + [benefit/payment] from government
You can claim a refund if the airline cancels your flight.
claim + a refund
Rohan claimed for the damage to his car through his insurance company.
claim for + [damage] + through [insurer]
The clinic claimed the full cost of the treatment from the health authority.
claim [cost] from [organization]
Many families claim child benefit to help raise their children.
- claim + benefit
- claim + refund
- claim for + damage
- claim + cost + from
- claim + expenses
Grammar Patterns
claim + direct object (benefit, refund, cost)
claim + for + damage/loss
claim + from + organization
Usage Note
This sense can be either transitive (claim something) or intransitive (claim for something, claim against someone). In British English, 'claim for' is common; in American English, the transitive use is more frequent.
5. to officially demand payment from a person or company after an accident, injury,
to officially demand payment from a person or company after an accident, injury, or loss, holding them responsible for the harm caused
Yara claimed compensation from the driver who caused the accident.
claim + [compensation/damages] + from [responsible party]
The family is claiming damages after the faulty appliance caused a fire.
claim + damages + after [event]
Kofi plans to claim for the medical bills through the other driver's insurance.
claim for + [costs] + through [insurance]
Injured passengers can claim against the tour company for negligence.
claim against + [party] + for [reason]
The night-shift nurse claimed payment for the injuries she suffered at work.
- claim + compensation
- claim + damages
- claim against + party
- claim for + medical bills
- claim + from + insurer
- sue for
stronger legal action through a court; claim can be an informal or formal request
- seek damages
formal legal term; implies pursuit through the court system
Grammar Patterns
claim + compensation/damages + from + person/party
claim for + costs/expenses + through + insurance
claim against + person/organization + for + reason
Usage Note
Often used in legal and insurance contexts. The preposition 'against' introduces the party being held responsible. 'Damages' (plural) is a legal term for money awarded by a court.
Common Mistakes
claim back
phrasal verbto ask for money to be returned that you have already paid, especially through an official process
You can claim back the sales tax if you are visiting from another country.
Diego claimed back the full deposit after the landlord fixed the leak.
to formally state that you have a right to own or possess something, especially when others may also want it
Both families laid claim to the ancient painting found in the attic.
No one has laid claim to the abandoned bicycle outside the library.
claim — noun
1. an assertion about the truth of something, put forward without supporting proof
an assertion about the truth of something, put forward without supporting proof and often doubted by other people
The government's claim that unemployment had fallen was met with doubt.
noun claim + that-clause
Scientists have dismissed the claim as being based on poor research.
dismiss + a claim + as + [adjective/noun]
Nadia made a claim about the company's profits that turned out to be false.
make a claim about + [topic]
The advertisement makes the bold claim that the cream removes all wrinkles.
Theo disputed his landlord's claim that the damage was his fault.
dispute/deny + someone's claim
- make a claim
- dismiss a claim
- reject a claim
- dispute a claim
- support a claim
- bold claim
- false claim
- assertion
more formal and neutral; does not carry the same implication of doubt
- allegation
used in legal or formal contexts, often suggesting the claim may be damaging
- statement
broader term; does not imply any lack of evidence
- denial
a statement that something is not true
Grammar Patterns
make a claim + that-clause
make a claim about + noun
dismiss / reject / dispute + a claim
Usage Note
Frequently followed by a that-clause specifying what the assertion is. Verbs commonly used with this sense include make, dismiss, reject, dispute, and support.
Common Mistakes
2. a formal written request sent to an insurer, government body, or similar institu
a formal written request sent to an insurer, government body, or similar institution, asking for money that the sender considers their due
Diego submitted a claim to his insurance company for the stolen bicycle.
submit a claim + to [organization] + for [item]
You need to fill in this form before your claim can be processed.
The deadline for filing a claim is thirty days after the accident.
file a claim
The insurance company rejected her claim because she had not paid the premium.
reject a claim
The court will decide whether the claim for damages is valid.
claim for damages
- submit a claim
- file a claim
- make a claim
- reject a claim
- accept a claim
- process a claim
- claim for damages
- application
broader term; does not necessarily imply compensation or insurance context
- demand
stronger and more forceful; less commonly used for formal insurance requests
Grammar Patterns
submit / file / make + a claim + for + amount/noun
a claim + for + damages/compensation
reject / accept + a claim
Usage Note
Common collocations include submit/file/make a claim. A claim can be accepted, approved, rejected, or denied. In insurance contexts, a 'claim' is the formal request for payment after an insured event.
3. a legal or moral right to own something, receive something, or be recognized as
a legal or moral right to own something, receive something, or be recognized as the proper recipient of a benefit
Rosa has a strong claim to the property under her grandfather's will.
have a claim to + [property/inheritance]
The children have the first claim on their mother's estate after she dies.
first claim on + [estate/assets]
Your claim to the inheritance depends on the terms of the will.
claim to + [inheritance/title]
The museum has a valid claim to the artifacts found at the old site.
Both families have a claim to the land, and the dispute will go to court.
have a claim to + [land/property]
- have a claim to
- have a claim on
- claim to property
- claim to inheritance
- strong claim
- valid claim
- first claim on
- right
more general and less formal; does not imply a contested or disputed entitlement
- title
legal term specifically for ownership of property; more formal than claim
- entitlement
formal term for a right to benefits or privileges, often from a system or policy
Grammar Patterns
have a claim to + noun
have a claim on + noun
claim to + inheritance/title/property
Usage Note
Often followed by 'to' or 'on' to indicate the thing you have a right to. The difference between 'claim to' and 'claim on' is subtle: 'claim to' focuses on the thing itself, while 'claim on' focuses on a share or portion of it.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
These four verbs all involve stating something as true, but they differ in tone and context. 'Claim' is the most neutral — it simply means stating something without offering proof, and it works in both everyday and formal settings. 'Assert' is more forceful and confident; someone who asserts a point is actively defending it against potential disagreement. 'Allege' is narrower and carries legal overtones — it suggests that the statement has been made but not yet proven in court or by an authority. 'Maintain' implies that the speaker continues to hold a position despite challenges from others. 'Declare' is the most public and official — governments declare policies, and individuals declare their intentions loudly and clearly. For everyday use about unproven statements, 'claim' is the safest choice: 'The article claims the company knew about the problem.' If you want to sound more forceful, use 'assert': 'The lawyer asserted her client's innocence.' Use 'allege' only in legal or formal accusation contexts: 'The report alleges that the factory violated safety rules.'
Common collocations
Adverbs
- falsely
- boldly
- publicly
- repeatedly
- rightfully
Phrases
- lay claim to
- have a claim on
- make a claim
- file a claim
- claim back
Etymology
The word 'claim' entered English from Old French 'claimer', which itself came from Latin 'clamare', meaning 'to cry out' or 'to shout'. The original sense of shouting or calling out gradually shifted to the idea of making a loud demand or assertion. By the 14th century, it was used in legal contexts to mean 'demand as one's due', and by the 17th century the broader sense of 'assert without proof' had become established.