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
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Global headline inflation will fall to 3.5% on an annual basis by the end of 2025, from an average of 5.8% in 2024, the agency said Tuesday. Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024 The boy, who was not named in the report, died at the scene, the report says. Grant Lancaster, arkansasonline.com, 23 Oct. 2024
Noun
Protest guidelines handed down by administrators are another way the faculty’s say in university affairs is being diminished, some professors say. Annie Ma, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2024 This gives the user a say in what information is leveraged and provides them with comfort when they’re faced with unfamiliar tools. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for say 

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 5 Nov. 2024.

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

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