First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1say
verb \ˈsā, Southern also ˈse\
: to use your voice to express (something) with words
: to express (an opinion)
: to express (a fact) with certainty
said \ˈsed, especially when subject follows səd\ say·ing \ˈsā-iŋ\ says \ˈsez, sometimes ˈsāz, especially when subject follows səz\
Full Definition of SAY
transitive verb
3
a : indicate, show <the clock says five minutes after twelve> b : to give expression to : communicate <a glance that said all that was necessary>
intransitive verb
: to express oneself : speak
— say·er \ˈsā-ər, ˈser\ noun
— say uncle
: to admit defeat
— that is to say
: in other words : in effect
— to say nothing of
: not to mention : and notably in addition <will need more time, to say nothing of money>
See say defined for English-language learners
See say defined for kids
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Origin of SAY
Middle English, from Old English secgan; akin to Old High German sagēn to say, Lithuanian sakyti, Greek ennepein to speak, tell
Related to SAY
Rhymes with SAY
a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, nay, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea
2say
noun
: an opportunity to express your opinion
: the power to decide or help decide something
plural says \ˈsāz, Southern also ˈsez\
Full Definition of SAY
1
archaic : something that is said : statement
2
: an expression of opinion <had my say>
3
: a right or power to influence action or decision; especially : the authority to make final decisions
See say defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SAY
1571
3say
adverb
Definition of SAY
1
: about, approximately <the property is worth, say, four million dollars>
2
: for example : as <if we compress any gas, say oxygen>
Origin of SAY
from imperative of 1say
First Known Use: circa 1596
Related to SAY
- Synonyms
- about, around, like, more or less, much, near, plus or minus, roughly, approximately, some
SAY Defined for Kids
1say
verb \ˈsā\
said \ˈsed\say·ing \ˈsā-iŋ\
Definition of SAY for Kids
1
: to express in words <He said that she would be late.> <What does the card say?>
2
: to state as an opinion or decision : declare <I say you are wrong.>
5
: to consider as a possibility or example <Can you spare, say, 20 dollars?>
2say
noun
Definition of SAY for Kids
1
: an expression of opinion <We all had a say at the meeting.>
2
: the power to decide or help decide <We had no say in the matter.>
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Seen & Heard
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