aye
Americanadverb
noun
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yes: archaic or dialectal except in voting by voice
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an expression of compliance, esp used by seamen
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an expression of amused surprise, esp at encountering something that confirms one's suspicions, expectations, etc
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noun
adverb
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of aye
First recorded in 1570–80; earlier spelling I, of uncertain origin
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.
See Examples For:
Of the 199 aye votes, Democrats supplied 107 and Republicans 92.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 12, 2026
On one vote, Lindsey Graham, distracted in conversation with Cory Booker, voted aye when he meant to vote nay.
From Slate ● Apr. 19, 2024
"Aye. 100% aye," he nods insisting that he has more hope for when is released this time, than ever before.
From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2024
The aye: McKay learned the “I” formation from a young junior college coach: Don Coryell.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 28, 2021
I gave my order as soberly as I could, and slamming down the door, with an “Aye, aye, mum,” the man made his horse walk, as if going to a funeral.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
She retreated, asking the ayes and noes to stand on separate sides of the room.
From Slate ● May 6, 2024
The ayes had it, 58 to 42 percent, and Musk sold $5 billion worth of shares a few days later.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 11, 2022
But, with Labour's help, the ayes still had it, and the government ensured checks at the doors of nightclubs and other large venues.
From BBC ● Dec. 27, 2021
When the time came, the ayes loudly drowned out the noes.
From New York Times ● May 12, 2021
The Chancellor said, There was a chorus of ayes from everyone but Hemme.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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.
