said
1 Americanverb
adjective
noun
adjective
verb
noun
Etymology
Origin of said
First recorded in 1300–50, for the adjective
Explanation
The word said is the past tense of the verb "say," but it can also be used as an adjective to refer to something that has been previously introduced. Although said is most commonly used as the past tense of the verb say, its use as an adjective comes mainly in legal and business writing. In that vein, the word offers a reference to something that was mentioned earlier. The judge may tell you that if you can't provide said evidence, your case will be dismissed. That evidence was mentioned before. If you don't know what the said example is, you must not have been paying attention.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"The glacier has lost so much elevation and mass that it simply can't continue to maintain the same output," he said.
From Science Daily • May 19, 2026
He said the mother said guns were missing and that her son left with a companion wearing camouflage outfits.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
She said she did not believe such treatment would happen in the same way today, though noted that social media had created different pressures for public figures.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
Scambos said he would not be surprised to see the glacier's movement continue slowing in the years ahead.
From Science Daily • May 19, 2026
Hannah didn’t join in on the teasing, but she also never said anything about it.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.