y

noun (1), often capitalized, often attributive

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\ ˈwī

plural y's or ys\ ˈwīz

Definition of y

(Entry 1 of 8)

1a : the 25th letter of the English alphabet

b : a graphic representation of this letter

c : a speech counterpart of orthographic y

2 : a graphic device for reproducing the letter y

3 : one designated y especially as the 25th in order or class or the second in order or class when x is made the first

4 : something shaped like the letter Y

abbreviation

Definition of y (Entry 2 of 8)

1 yard

2 year

noun (2)

\ ˈwī

Definition of Y (Entry 3 of 8)

1 : ymca

2 : ywca

symbol

Definition of Y (Entry 4 of 8)

yttrium

-y

adjective suffix

variants: or less commonly -ey \ ē ; in some dialects, especially British, Southern US, and New England, often i but not shown at individual entries \

Definition of -y (Entry 5 of 8)

1a : characterized by : full of blossomy dirty muddy clayey

b : having the character of : composed of icy waxy

c : like : like that of homey wintry —often with a disparaging connotation stagy

2a : tending or inclined to sleepy chatty

b : giving occasion for (specified) action teary

c : performing (specified) action curly

-y

noun suffix (1)

\ same \

plural -ies

Definition of -y (Entry 6 of 8)

1 : state : condition : quality beggary

2 : activity, place of business, or goods dealt with chandlery laundry

3 : whole body or group soldiery

-y

noun suffix (2)

plural -ies

Definition of -y (Entry 7 of 8)

: instance of a (specified) action entreaty inquiry

-y

noun suffix (3)

Definition of -y (Entry 8 of 8)

— see -ie

Words Starting With Y Example Sentences Phrases Containing y Learn More About y

Examples of y in a Sentence

Noun (1) a word that starts with a y a word that starts with y

History and Etymology for y

Adjective suffix

Middle English, from Old English -ig; akin to Old High German -īg -y, Latin -icus, Greek -ikos, Sanskrit -ika

Noun suffix (1)

Middle English -ie, from Anglo-French, from Latin -ia, from Greek -ia, -eia

Noun suffix (2)

Middle English -ie, from Anglo-French, from Latin -ium

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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near y

xystus

Statistics for y

Last Updated

15 Apr 2022

Cite this Entry

“Y.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/y. Accessed 24 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for y

noun, often capitalized

\ ˈwī

plural y's or ys\ ˈwīz \

Kids Definition of y

: the 25th letter of the English alphabet

-y

adjective suffix

variants: also -ey \ ē \

-ier; -iest

Kids Definition of -y

(Entry 1 of 5)

1 : showing, full of, or made of dirty muddy icy

2 : like wintry

3 : devoted to : enthusiastic about

4 : tending to sleepy

5 : somewhat : rather chilly

-y

noun suffix

\ ē \

plural -ies

Kids Definition of -y (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : state : condition : quality jealousy

2 : activity, place of business, or goods dealt with laundry

3 : whole body or group

-y

noun suffix

plural -ies

Kids Definition of -y (Entry 3 of 5)

: occasion or example of a specified action entreaty inquiry

-y

Kids Definition of -y (Entry 4 of 5)

— see -ie

symbol

Medical Definition of Y

yttrium

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y

Definition of y

Words Starting With Y

Examples of y in a Sentence

First Known Use of y

History and Etymology for y

Learn More About y

Dictionary Entries Near y

Statistics for y

Kids Definition of y

Kids Definition of -y

Medical Definition of Y

WORD OF THE DAY

dander

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y

Definition of y

Words Starting With Y

Examples of y in a Sentence

Phrases Containing y

First Known Use of y

History and Etymology for y

Learn More About y

The first known use of y was before the 12th century

Absent Letters That Are Heard Anyway

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes

The Truth About 'Y': It's Mostly a Vowel

Dictionary Entries Near y

Statistics for y

Kids Definition of y

Kids Definition of -y

Medical Definition of Y

WORD OF THE DAY

dander

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