say

¹say

verb \ˈsā, Southern also ˈse\

said\ˈsed, especially when subject follows səd\say·ing\ˈsā-iŋ\says\ˈsez, sometimes ˈsāz, especially when subject follows səz\

Definition of SAY

transitive verb

1

a : to express in words : state b : to state as opinion or belief : declare

2

a : utter, pronounce b : recite, repeat <say your prayers>

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>

4

: suppose, assume <let's say you're right>

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>

Examples of SAY

1. “Is anybody there?” he said.
2. “Good morning,” said the woman behind the counter.
3. I said three words before he interrupted me again.
4. I just stopped by to say hello.
5. He left without saying goodbye.
6. I wanted to say thank you for all you've done for me.
7. She said something about going to the store after work.
8. He said something in French.
9. Anything you say to the police can be used as evidence against you.
10. Don't believe a word he says.

Origin of SAY

Middle English, from Old English secgan; akin to Old High German sagēn to say, Lithuanian sakyti, Greek ennepein to speak, tell

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SAY

Synonyms: articulate, bring out, enunciate, pass, speak, state, talk, tell, utter, verbalize, vocalize, put into words

Related Words: air, discuss, give, look, share, sound, vent, ventilate, voice; blabber, bolt, blurt, get off, shoot; advertise, announce, blaze, broadcast, declare, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish; affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow; breathe, chirp, drawl, gasp, lip, mouth, murmur, purr, shout, splutter, spout, whisper; clothe, couch, formulate, formulize, phrase, put, word; comment, pipe up (with), remark; rip (out), snarl

Near Antonyms: stifle, suppress

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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