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
Synonyms
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
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Recent Examples on the Web
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
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
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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
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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
Phrases Containing say
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.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on say
Nglish: Translation of say for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of say for Arabic Speakers
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