3
b
: to give expression to : communicate
a glance that said all that was necessary
: to express oneself : speak
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
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 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
Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Centric will take on oversight of the sportswear, activewear, kids’ apparel, dress shirts, workwear and performance golf categories, Authentic said.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Antetokounmpo will also have some say in how things go down, and his interest in joining any teams will be a major factor.
—Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for say
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
The agency will preliminary report after 30 days, and that the entire investigation could take 12-24 months, said an NTSB representative at a May 19 press conference.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 20 May 2025
Centric will take on oversight of the sportswear, activewear, kids’ apparel, dress shirts, workwear and performance golf categories, Authentic said.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 20 May 2025
Noun
The weather may have a say in the game, but the team is a rain or shine mix of raw talent and grizzled veterans.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Antetokounmpo will also have some say in how things go down, and his interest in joining any teams will be a major factor.
—Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for say
Cite this Entry
“Say.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/say. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
say
1 of 3 verb1
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
say
2 of 3 noun1
: 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 adverb1
: 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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