say
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.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
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 Examples of SAY
- “Is anybody there?” he said.
- “Good morning,” said the woman behind the counter.
- I said three words before he interrupted me again.
- I just stopped by to say hello.
- He left without saying goodbye.
- I wanted to say thank you for all you've done for me.
- She said something about going to the store after work.
- He said something in French.
- Anything you say to the police can be used as evidence against you.
- 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
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 plural says \ˈsāz, Southern also ˈsez\
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
Examples of SAY
- Everybody had a say at the meeting.
- We won't make a decision until all members have had their say.
- The judge will have the final say on the divorce settlement.
- He had no say in the matter.
First Known Use of SAY
1571
3say
adverbDefinition of SAY
1
: about, approximately <the property is worth, say, four million dollars>
2
: for example : as <if we compress any gas, say oxygen>
Examples of SAY
- <a person consumes, say, 2000 calories a day>
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
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