ixnay

1 of 2

verb

ix·​nay ˈiks-ˌnā How to pronounce ixnay (audio)
ixnayed; ixnaying; ixnays

transitive verb

informal : to reject or put a stop to (something) : nix
Edie's mercilessly catty comeback to Susan when the latter finds her hot date with Mike ixnayed by Kendra's arrival.Mike Flaherty
Though President Bush ixnayed that idea, Wilkinson is still optimistic.James Glave

ixnay

2 of 2

adverb

informal : no, nix
used to express disagreement or the withholding of permission
"I'm leaving on the four o'clock train. I'm too tired to drive." "Maybe I oughta go with you?" "Ixnay."Mordecai Richler
often used with on
The finger is pointed at Congress: Ixnay on income-supplementing "honoraria." This may be cross-institution sniping, but fits the ethical rule that no public official should serve a private master.William Safire

Examples of ixnay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Not even being nominated against a film’s costar, which is normally a split-the-difference kiss of death (although tell that to Robert De Niro), can ixnay that advantage. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ixnay.' 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

pig Latin alteration of nix entry 1

Adverb

pig Latin alteration of nix entry 2

First Known Use

Verb

1934, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ixnay was in 1928

Dictionary Entries Near ixnay

Cite this Entry

“Ixnay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ixnay. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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