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.
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
NOTES: Semifinals, Thursday, 4 p.m. ay higher seeds.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 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
England batter Jonny Bairstow completes England's second-fast Test century to rapturous applause at Trent Bridge on the fifth ay of the second Test against New Zealand.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2022
“Afc, ay, aeh, auh. That would make these the ohs.”
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.
