ay
1 Americanadverb
interjection
adverb
interjection
Etymology
Origin of ay1
1150–1200; Middle English ei, ai < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse ei, cognate with Old English ā ever
Origin of ay2
Middle English word dating back to 1300–50
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.
I’d sing the refrain, “Jesus loves me this I know,” as “Geez-suz lav me thiss ay know.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2023
A tale of heartbreak or betrayal is likely to be punctuated by hoots of laughter or mocking cries of ay!
From New York Times ● Jun. 22, 2023
Garcia said he was unaware of the ruling, which could bar him from ay European events he was hoping to play.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 6, 2023
Charles became king immediately following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, but a historic meeting ay St James's Palace formally confirmed his role on Saturday.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2022
“You’ll have to be my stunt double, eh? That’s what they call it, I think. Tell her for me. I hoped I would be alive, but, ay, the curse won’t have it!”
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
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.
