Cool MateAnnounce vs Broadcast vs Proclaim vs Put word out
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Announce
Broadcast
Proclaim
Put word out
| Announce | Broadcast | Proclaim | Put word out | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈnaʊns/","/əˈnaʊnsɪz/","/əˈnaʊnst/","/əˈnaʊnsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈnaʊns/","/əˈnaʊnsɪz/","/əˈnaʊnst/","/əˈnaʊnsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈbrɔːdkɑːst/","/ˈbrɔːdkɑːsts/","/ˈbrɔːdkɑːstɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbrɔːdkæst/","/ˈbrɔːdkæsts/","/ˈbrɔːdkæstɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/prəˈkleɪm/","/prəˈkleɪmz/","/prəˈkleɪmd/","/prəˈkleɪmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/prəˈkleɪm/","/prəˈkleɪmz/","/prəˈkleɪmd/","/prəˈkleɪmɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //pʊt wɜːd aʊt//🇺🇸 //pʊt wɝːd aʊt// |
| Meaning | To make something known to many people | To send out information or programs to a lot of people. | To announce or say something publicly. | To announce or share information publicly. |
| Example | They will announce the results of the competition tomorrow. | The concert will be **broadcast live** *(= at the same time as it takes place)* tomorrow evening. | The president will proclaim a national holiday to celebrate the country's independence. | They decided to put the word out about the charity event. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | formally, officially, publicly, be expected to, expect to, be delighted to, to, formally, officially, publicly, be expected to, expect to, be delighted to, to | live, nationally, originally, from, to | loudly, formally, officially, seem to, continue to, as, to, loudly, formally, officially, seem to, continue to, as, to | put the word out, put the word out quickly, put the word out widely, put the word out about something, put the word out to everyone |
| Antonyms | conceal, hide | suppress, withhold | conceal, suppress, withhold | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing it with 'notify'; 'announce' is more public, Using it without an object; 'announce' needs something to announce, Using it in passive voice incorrectly; it is usually active | Confused with 'cast' as a noun., Using 'broadcasted' instead of 'broadcast' for past forms., Confusing with 'stream' in the context of online content. | Confused with 'declare' – both mean to make known, but 'proclaim' sounds more public., Using 'proclaim' in casual settings where simpler words work better., Omitting the object – remember to say what is being proclaimed. | Confusing with 'put out' which means to extinguish., Using it in very formal contexts where a more specific term is needed., Mistaking it for 'get the word out' which carries a similar but slightly different meaning. |
| Usage notes | Use 'announce' for formal and neutral contexts, such as public speeches or official statements. Avoid in very casual situations. | Use 'broadcast' when referring to media like TV or radio. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts but can feel out of place in very casual conversations. | Used in speeches or declarations. It sounds formal, so it's best for official or serious contexts; less appropriate for casual conversations. | Use in informal contexts when sharing news or announcements; less common in formal writing. Avoid using with very sensitive or private information. |
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Frequently asked questions: Announce vs Broadcast vs Proclaim vs Put word out
What's the difference between Announce, Broadcast, Proclaim, and Put word out?
Announce: To make something known to many people Broadcast: To send out information or programs to a lot of people. Proclaim: To announce or say something publicly. Put word out: To announce or share information publicly.
Which is more formal: Announce, Broadcast, Proclaim, and Put word out?
Proclaim is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Announce, Broadcast, Proclaim, and Put word out?
Announce is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Announce, Broadcast, Proclaim, and Put word out?
Proclaim is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Announce: They will announce the results of the competition tomorrow. Broadcast: The concert will be **broadcast live** *(= at the same time as it takes place)* tomorrow evening. Proclaim: The president will proclaim a national holiday to celebrate the country's independence. Put word out: They decided to put the word out about the charity event.
Can I use Announce, Broadcast, Proclaim, and Put word out interchangeably?
Not always. Announce, Broadcast, Proclaim, and Put word out are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.