say

1 of 3

verb

ˈsā 

Southern also ˈse

said ˈsed 

especially when subject follows səd

; saying ˈsā-iŋ  ; says ˈsez 

sometimes

ˈsāz 

especially when subject follows səz

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

sayer

ˈsā-ər 

ˈser

noun

see also:

go without saying needless to say say uncle that is to say to say nothing of

say

2 of 3

noun

plural says ˈsāz 

Southern also

ˈsez 

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

Synonyms of say

Verb

• tell
• talk
• utter
• speak
• discuss

Noun

• share
• voice

Adverb

• about
• approximately
• roughly
• like
• around
• some

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

The driver, whose name was redacted from the report, was arrested near the 1700 block of South Elm Street, the report says. — arkansasonline.com, 23 Sep. 2026

Both have a salad bar, a self-serve soup station, an overflowing bread basket, and a special (say tagliatelle with truffles, a roast Argentinian rib-eye, or a seafood buffet), which is the same on both floors. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Noun

Judge Curtis Farber asked that the New York sentence run consecutive to his California sentence, but noted that California has the ultimate say. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

West had previously been rejected by other courts in her efforts to have a say in the treatment of the child, who was born with a life-threatening heart condition. — ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026

Adverb

The result has been a group of ridiculously talented dancers with a never-say-quit attitude and a lot of stuff to say — and doing it elegantly. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing say

• afraid to say
• as who should say
• bound to say
• can't say fairer than that
• couldn't/can't say
• cry/say uncle
• fair to say
• hasten to add/say/explain (etc.)
• have anything/something to say about
• have to say for oneself
• I dare say
• if I may/might say so
• if I may say so
• if I say so myself
• I have got to say
• I have to say
• I'll say
• I say
• may I just say
• needless to say
• never say die
• never say never
• not say/breathe a word
• not to say
• regret to say
• say a few words
• say a mouthful
• say cheese
• say everything
• say for
• say goodbye to
• say grace
• say hi to
• say it all
• say no
• say no more
• say one's piece
• say-so
• say the word
• say uncle
• say what
• say yes
• say yes to
• sorry to say
• strange to say
• suffice (it) to say
• that is to say
• that's not to say
• to say nothing of
• to say the least
• which is to say
• wouldn't you say
• you can say that again
• you don't say
• you know what they say
• you might say

Rhymes for say

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

say

1 of 3 verb

ˈsā 

said ˈsed  ; saying ˈsā-iŋ  ; says ˈsez 

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

ˈsā-ər 

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