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 See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office said dispatchers received a call from a GPS device monitoring service at about 3:20 p.m. on Saturday, saying a device had been activated near Grotto Falls in Hyalite Canyon. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 28 Nov. 2023 But the Rams finally put together an outstanding performance on offense and defense, looking like a team that — dare it be said — is developing into a legitimate playoff team. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023 All four people involved had been residing in two tents in the homeless encampment for several weeks, the sheriff's office said. Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 27 Nov. 2023 The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that a list of the hostages due to be released Monday is being reviewed. Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023 Across-the-board affirmative action by government and institutions; and the build of regional industries, says Bourgeois. John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Nov. 2023 Supported by a Stabilizing China Property Market 0000 GMT – A stabilizing Chinese property market would be supportive for steel ingredient iron ore, which is trading around $135 a metric ton, says UBS analyst Lachlan Shaw. WSJ, 27 Nov. 2023 Lots of grocery store versions are either too citrusy or too sweet, Minj says. Michelle Konstantinovsky, SELF, 27 Nov. 2023 The source familiar with the case said the five videos could be presented to the grand jury. Chloe Melas, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2023
Noun
While precious little time is spent on developing individual characters, short of say, Loki, universally agreed upon as one of the best offerings in this phase. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 The state's supreme court would have the ultimate say in litigation to do so. Shawna Mizelle, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2023 Appeals may be made to the school board, which has final say. Priscella Vega, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023 Khan does not have the final say — the decision now goes on to the Communities Secretary Michael Gove for a ruling. Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023 But neither the ordinary Georgia voter nor the ordinary sports fan was given a say. The Editors, National Review, 17 Nov. 2023 That would give them more of a say in the state budget, which requires 75 votes to pass the House. Michael R. Wickline, arkansasonline.com, 15 Nov. 2023 Probably as soon as possible, if the major Hollywood studios and the thousands of entertainment industry employees (not just actors and writers but crew members and other production workers as well) who have gone largely without work for nearly seven months have any say. Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2023 The bees with the most popular dance part earn final say on where to build. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Nov. 2023 See More

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 6 Dec. 2023.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on say

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