say

1 of 3

verb

ˈsā 

 Southern also  ˈse

said ˈsed 

 especially when subject follows  səd

; saying ˈsā-iŋ  ; says ˈsez 

 sometimes  ˈsāz,

especially when subject follows

səz 

transitive verb

1

a

: to express in words : state

b

: to state as opinion or belief : declare

2

a

: utter, pronounce

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 

ˈser

noun

say

2 of 3

noun

plural says ˈsāz 

Southern also

ˈsez 

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

Synonyms

Verb

• articulate
• bring out
• enunciate
• pass
• speak
• state
• talk
• tell
• utter
• verbalize
• vocalize

Noun

• say-so
• voice
• vote

Adverb

• about
• approximately
• around
• like
• more or less
• much
• near
• plus or minus
• roughly
• some

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

Salmon said Lester couldn't assist in his own defense in the criminal case. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024

Another key limitation, Hall and Manson said, was the lack of a true placebo group. —Simon Spichak, Health, 28 Nov. 2024

Noun

Once again, the CCP quickly escalated its censorship efforts to suppress public discussions of the tragedy and its impact, leaving Chinese citizens to grapple with this incident—and what is says about their country—in the midst of an information blackout. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

Lisa’s journey within fashion has an interesting prologue–it’s marked by her eagerness to have a say in the unfolding fashion story in Africa before the mainstream media was paying attention. —Ugonnaora Owoh, Essence, 25 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing say

• afraid to say
• as who should say
• bound to say
• can't say fairer than that
• couldn't/can't say
• fair to say
• hasten to add/say/explain (etc.)
• have anything/something to say about
• have to say for oneself
• I dare say
• if I may/might say so
• if I may say so
• if I say so myself
• I have got to say
• I have to say
• I'll say
• I say
• may I just say
• needless to say
• never say die
• never say never
• not say/breathe a word
• not to say
• regret to say
• say a few words
• say a mouthful
• say cheese
• say everything
• say for
• say goodbye to
• say hi to
• say it all
• say no
• say no more
• say one's piece
• say-so
• say the word
• say what
• say yes
• say yes to
• sorry to say
• strange to say
• suffice (it) to say
• that's not to say
• to say the least
• which is to say
• wouldn't you say
• you can say that again
• you don't say
• you know what they say
• you might say

Kids Definition

say

1 of 3 verb

ˈsā 

said ˈsed  ; saying ˈsā-iŋ  ; says ˈsez 

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

ˈsā-ər 

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