said

¹ American  

[sed] / sɛd /

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of say.

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adjective

1. Chiefly Law. named or mentioned before; aforesaid; aforementioned.

   said witness;

   said sum.

said ² American  

[sah-id] / ˈsɑ ɪd /

noun

Islam.

1. sayyid.

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said ¹ British  

/ sɛd /

adjective

1. (prenominal) (in contracts, pleadings, etc) named or mentioned previously; aforesaid

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verb

1. the past tense and past participle of say 1

said ² British  

/ ˈsɑːɪd /

noun

1. a variant of sayyid

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said Idioms  

1. see easier said than done; enough said; no sooner said than done; when all's said and done; you said it. Also see under say.

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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

Treasury contends that Maarij arranged for oil to be diverted to an Iraqi businessman, Salim Ahmed Said, who was sanctioned by the U.S. last year for smuggling Iranian oil blended with Iraqi oil.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Said Peter O’Malley: “It’s one of the great moments in Dodger history.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Said Nichols: “Affordable options for senior living on college campuses have not largely been cracked before.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

In a video posted Wednesday, Transport Minister Said bin Hamood bin Said Al Maawali said that international conventions signed by Oman forbade taking tolls for passage, but that talks were ongoing with the foreign ministry.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

As he burst into the darkened second-floor bedroom, he said, “Mary Willis, guess what! Your daddy just left in his buggy with Miss Love Simpson! Said they were off to Jefferson to get married!”

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns