say

1 of 3

verb

ˈsā How to pronounce say (audio)
 Southern also  ˈse
said ˈsed How to pronounce say (audio)
 especially when subject follows  səd
; saying ˈsā-iŋ How to pronounce say (audio) ; says ˈsez How to pronounce say (audio)
 sometimes  ˈsāz,
especially when subject follows
səz How to pronounce say (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to express in words : state
b
: to state as opinion or belief : declare
2
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
sayer
ˈsā-ər How to pronounce say (audio)
ˈser
noun

say

2 of 3

noun

plural says ˈsāz How to pronounce say (audio)
Southern also
ˈsez How to pronounce say (audio)
1
: an expression of opinion
had my say
2
: a right or power to influence action or decision
especially : the authority to make final decisions
3
archaic : something that is said : statement

say

3 of 3

adverb

1
: about, approximately
the property is worth, say, four million dollars
2
: for example : as
if we compress any gas, say oxygen
Phrases
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 in a Sentence

Verb “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. Noun 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. Adverb a person consumes, say, 2000 calories a day
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Joo says eating meat every day is an ideal dietary habit that contributes to a balanced diet. Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024 The students with the most complex applications are frequently less well situated to complete them than others in need of the aid, Brown said. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Needless to say: in addition to the human toll, fur production had a detrimental impact on the environment. Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 19 Mar. 2024 Certain things can be said and certain things can't be said because not everything is resolved yet, Deters said. The Enquirer, 19 Mar. 2024 Leiweke-Bodie says the model is key to driving expansion opportunities into Africa, Asia and the Middle East, where huge gaps in the world’s touring infrastructure prevent popular arena and stadium tours from accessing hundreds of millions of fans. Dave Brooks, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2024 Ford has said its BlueCruise is an advanced hands-free driving system that operates on 97% of U.S. and Canadian highways with no intersections or traffic signals. CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 Budget airline Ryanair’s CEO says his $109 million salary is perfectly justifiable. Susan Howson, Quartz, 19 Mar. 2024 Transporting fuel across the lake is worrisome, Irvine said. Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024
Noun
So far, astronomers with a stake in the outcome have been careful to note that Congress, as well as the White House and the science foundation, would eventually all have their say. Dennis Overbye, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 The country has sovereignty over the Amazon—the planet’s most extensive rainforest—and is a top-tier food producer, giving it a major say in climate governance. Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2024 Noting the court's action on Tuesday isn’t the final say on the law, Abbott’s response was measured. Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2024 Drake Jackson and Robert Beal Jr. also will have a say in the defensive end rotation, as could February pickups Earnest Brown IV and Raymond Johnson III. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 Ahmed promised that his family would have no say over their affairs; their secrets would remain their own. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Ohioans won't have much of a say in the presidential primary after Super Tuesday set up a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024 Currently, local jurisdictions have no say in the commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024 If approved by both chambers, voters would have the final say in November or at an earlier election called by Republican Gov. Mike Parson. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'say.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Adverb

from imperative of say entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adverb

circa 1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of say was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near say

Cite this Entry

“Say.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/say. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

say

1 of 3 verb
said ˈsed How to pronounce say (audio) ; saying ˈsā-iŋ How to pronounce say (audio) ; says ˈsez How to pronounce say (audio)
1
a
: to express in words : state
say what you mean using as few words as possible
b
: to state as opinion or belief : declare
said to be the best you can get
2
a
: utter entry 2 sense 2, pronounce
can't say more than three words without laughing
b
: recite sense 1, repeat
said my prayers
3
a
: indicate sense 2, show
the clock says five minutes after ten
b
: to give expression to : communicate
the look on his face said it all
4
: suppose sense 1, assume
let's say you're right
sayer noun

say

2 of 3 noun
1
: an expression of opinion
had my say
2
: the power to decide or help decide
had no say in the plans

say

3 of 3 adverb
1
: about as much or as many as
is worth, say, ten dollars
2
: as an example
pick any state, say Iowa

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