aye
Americanadverb
noun
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ayes
plural
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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
As the government of former Prime Minister Theresa May buckled under the strains of Brexit, MPs briefly put their quarrels aside to partake in a unanimous cheer of "aye".
From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2022
The aye: McKay learned the “I” formation from a young junior college coach: Don Coryell.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 28, 2021
“But most do, when they reach an age, as Martyn and Glenys. When they choose each other, and the parents say aye, then we have the Handfasting. Always in summer, usually at new moon.”
From "Son" by Lois Lowry
The Self-Determination Act was passed with 374 ayes to 251 no's and 11 abstentions.
From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2024
When the time came, the ayes loudly drowned out the noes.
From New York Times ● May 12, 2021
“I think the ayes have it, the ayes have it,” he said for the last time.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 31, 2019
Each member opposed it, whereupon Lincoln, who was for it, declared: “Seven nays, one aye: the ayes have it.”
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2016
"All in favor of the motion, signify by saying 'Aye' . . ." The ayes drowned him out.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
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.
