yea

1 of 2

adverb

ˈyā 

1

: yes

—used in oral voting

2

: more than this : not only so but

—used to introduce a more explicit or emphatic phrase

Yet the impression, yea the evidence, is inescapable …

—Joseph G. Harrison

3

informal : to this extent or degree

The hole was yea [=this] big

yea high

yea tall

yea

2 of 2

noun

1

: affirmation, assent

2

a

: an affirmative vote

b

: a person casting a yea vote

Synonyms of yea

Adverb

• indeed
• definitely
• certainly
• nay
• surely
• even
• in fact
• truly
• in reality
• really

Noun

• affirmative
• yes
• approval

Examples of yea in a Sentence

Adverb

we will go to the new land, and, yea, we will pursue our dreams!

I vote yea on the proposed increase in the school budget.

Noun

the measure passed with 50 yeas and 17 nays

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Achane led the Dolphins in receptions last yea, and would be a solid bet to do it again. — Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2026

There have been a couple of voluntary buyouts during the past 25 yeas. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

And on July 2, after the arrival of British forces in New York lent the proceedings new urgency, Congress did, in fact, declare independence—with a vote of 12 yeas, 0 nays, and 1 abstention. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 July 2026

Caltrans has cleaned up the site twice over the past five yeas. — Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 17 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English ye, ya, from Old English gēa; akin to Old High German jā yes

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing yea

• yea-sayer

Rhymes for yea

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

yea

1 of 2 adverb

ˈyā 

1

: yes entry 1 sense 1

—used in oral voting

2

—used to give special force to a phrase that follows

most people, yea everyone, would agree with that

yea

2 of 2 noun

1

: a vote in favor of something

2

: a person casting a yea vote