say

verb \ ˈsā , Southern also ˈse \

Definition of say

said play \ˈsed, especially when subject follows səd\; saying play \ˈsā-iŋ\; says play \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

play \ˈsā-ər, ˈser\ noun

— 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

See say defined for English-language learners

See say defined for kids

Examples of say in a Sentence

“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.

Recent Examples of say from the Web

The teen was conscious and able to communicate during the ordeal, police said.

— aegis staff report, The Aegis, "Aberdeen 16-year-old trapped under vehicle that crashed into his house," 6 July 2017
In particular, Mendell said, prescribing practices should be measured and responded to in real time.

— lenny bernstein, Alaska Dispatch News, "Opioid prescription numbers drop for first time in the modern drug crisis," 6 July 2017
The amount of each refund will depend on how much a person paid to DeVry but won't cover the complete cost, the FTC said.

— leada gore, AL.com, "173,000 DeVry University students will share in $49 million settlement," 6 July 2017
A permanent home will help VGA further its case for the artistic merit of video games, says executive director Jonathan Kinkley, who cofounded VGA Gallery in 2014 with Chaz Evans, director of exhibitions and programs.

— ryan smith, Chicago Reader, "Arts / Do This / Technology Chicago’s first art gallery devoted to video games will open next month," 6 July 2017
The documents say that the city's decision to close the court violates judicial independence.

— craig lyons, Post-Tribune, "Hammond judge threatens city with lawsuit," 5 July 2017
Some say the election of Trump has also helped spur interest in their cause.

— alana semuels, The Atlantic, "Stop Worrying and Learn to Love the Developers," 5 July 2017
Nonetheless, note carefully what Ismay did not say.

— victor davis hanson, National Review, "Lord Ismay, NATO, and the Old-New World Order," 5 July 2017
The CHP said Hackman then fell to the ground and suffered fatal injuries.

— andy nguyen, La Cañada Valley Sun, "Missing Yorba Linda man identified as body recovered from Angeles National Forest," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'say.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of say

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

say Synonyms

Synonyms

articulate, bring out, enunciate, pass, speak, state, talk, tell, utter, verbalize, vocalize, put into words

Related Words

air, discuss, give, look, share, sound, vent, ventilate, voice; blabber, bolt, blurt, get off, shoot; advertise, announce, blaze, broadcast, declare, post, proclaim, promulgate, publicize, publish; affirm, allege, assert, aver, avouch, avow; breathe, chirp, drawl, gasp, lip, mouth, murmur, purr, shout, splutter, spout, whisper; clothe, couch, formulate, formulize, phrase, put, word; comment, pipe up (with), remark; rip (out), snarl

Near Antonyms

stifle, suppress

say

noun

Definition of say

plural says play \ˈsāz, Southern also ˈsez\

1 archaic :something that is said :statement

2 :an expression of opinion

had my say

3 :a right or power to influence action or decision; especially :the authority to make final decisions

See say defined for English-language learners

Examples of say in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of say from the Web

Those fresh-burger chains are among the fast-food rivals that McDonald's says have siphoned 500 million U.S. transactions from its stores since 2012.

— NBC News, "Will McDonald’s Customers Wait for the New Quarter Pounder?," 20 June 2017
In some cases, residents will have the final say in a voter referendum.

— mike cason, AL.com, "More Alabama cities, towns consider Sunday alcohol sales," 15 June 2017
To the extent that societies should be able to chart their own course, why shouldn’t the population have a say on the basic framework of their political system-to-be?

— shadi hamid, The Atlantic, "How to Hate Each Other Peacefully in a Democracy," 11 June 2017
Further committees will make their last tweaks to the legislation this summer before the EU's legal affairs committee has the final say in September.

— scott roxborough, Billboard, "Clock Ticking Down for European Digital Single Market," 9 June 2017
But the Legislature should continue to have a say on this issue.

— mary ellen klas, miamiherald, "House plan would give governor $85 million jobs fund with few strings attached," 5 June 2017
And although the city manager would have had a say in any potential parking cost increase, the city would have, for the most part, lost control.

— sharon coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "Was Cranley right to kill the parking deal?," 23 May 2017
An earlier presidential primary gives California voters a greater say in the nominating process and the opportunity to give their favorite candidate momentum.

— alex padilla & ricardo lara, sandiegouniontribune.com, "California's primary needs to move to prime time," 19 May 2017
Austin is the longtime budget committee chairman, the longest serving African-American on the council and a loyal Emanuel ally, all of which gives her a big say in how the city might help CPS.

— hal dardick, chicagotribune.com, "Alderman on CPS: "Take Rauner by his neck and wring it"," 16 May 2017

First Known Use of say

1571

say Synonyms

Synonyms

voice, say-so, vote

Related Words

part, role (also rôle), share; ballot, enfranchisement, franchise, suffrage; belief, conviction, judgment (or judgement), opinion, sentiment, view

say

adverb

Definition of say

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

a person consumes, say, 2000 calories a day

Origin and Etymology of say

from imperative of ¹say

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1596

See Words from the same year

say Synonyms

Synonyms

about, around, like, more or less, much, near, plus or minus, roughly, approximately, some

Antonyms

exactly, precisely

Related Words

generally, kind of, loosely; nearly, nominally, practically, virtually, well-nigh

Near Antonyms

due, even, just, sharp, smack-dab, squarely

SAY Defined for English Language Learners

say

verb

Definition of say for English Language Learners

: to use your voice to express (something) with words
: to express (an opinion)
: to express (a fact) with certainty

say

noun

Definition of say for English Language Learners

: an opportunity to express your opinion
: the power to decide or help decide something

SAY Defined for Kids

say

verb \ ˈsā \

Definition of say for Students

said \ˈsed\; saying \ˈsā-iŋ\

1 :to express in words

He said that she would be late.

What does the card say?

2 :to state as an opinion or decision :declare

I say you are wrong.

3 :¹repeat 2, recite

I said my prayers.

4 :indicate 2, show

The clock says half past ten.

5 :to consider as a possibility or example

Can you spare, say, 20 dollars?

say

noun

Definition of say for Students

1 :an expression of opinion

We all had a say at the meeting.

2 :the power to decide or help decide

We had no say in the matter.

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