say-so

[ sey-soh ]
See synonyms for say-so on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural say-sos.
  1. one's personal statement or assertion.

  2. final authority; directing influence.

  1. an authoritative statement.

Origin of say-so

1
First recorded in 1630–40; originally, one's mere word on a matter, as opposed to proof

Words Nearby say-so

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use say-so in a sentence

  • She looked kinder mad and dignified at mother and Cousin Eunice because they hadn't asked her for her say-so about bands.

    The Annals of Ann | Kate Trimble Sharber
  • It is just possible that I took him through from New York without a train, by the mere say-so of my pen.

    A Rebellious Heroine | John Kendrick Bangs

British Dictionary definitions for say-so

say-so

nouninformal
  1. an arbitrary assertion

  2. an authoritative decision

  1. the authority to make a final decision

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012