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 source familiar with the case said the five videos could be presented to the grand jury. Chloe Melas, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2023 Joe Gloria, who was Clark County's registrar at the time, said a state investigator asked him questions about the scheme earlier this month. Misty Severi, Washington Examiner, 15 Nov. 2023 The recruitment process will include gathering input from community members throughout the city, officials said. Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2023 Others said that trading stocks shouldn’t be banned because doing so would cut off a financial source that some politicians use to supplement their income. Jay O'Brien, ABC News, 15 Nov. 2023 One of those benefits came in hiring a UX designer, says Switzer. WIRED, 15 Nov. 2023 The university said counseling was being made available to students individually and in group settings. CBS News, 15 Nov. 2023 Margaret said Phil has always been one to take care of her. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2023 Ad blocker developers say annoyance with YouTube has long been a top driver of downloads of their tools. WIRED, 3 Nov. 2023
Noun
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 Reached through the Colorado Civil Rights Division, the settlement requires her former employer to give librarians more say in decisions involving library programs. Mead Gruver, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Nov. 2023 For example, give kids reign over the following: Toys Pillows Color and texture of the sheets or blankets on their beds Color of their walls These little choices may not seem like a big deal, but kids have no say over so many things in life. Kristine Jepsen, Parents, 6 Nov. 2023 The articles claim that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has the final say over the traditions that guide the Tibetan belief in reincarnation—particularly over the reincarnation of the next Dalai Lama. Lobsang Sangay, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2023 According to the San Diego County Water Authority, all of the voters within a regional water agency should get a say on whether whether two small districts can leave the larger group — not just customers of the agencies that want to secede. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2023 Four of the women who spoke with Fortune say that senior executives were disrespectful toward them. Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2023 The Crown will also have a say in how the building is maintained and run. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 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 28 Nov. 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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