gainsay
[ geyn-sey, geyn-sey ]
/ ˈgeɪnˌseɪ, geɪnˈseɪ /
Save This Word!
verb (used with object), gain·said, gain·say·ing.
to deny, dispute, or contradict.
to speak or act against; oppose.
QUIZ
QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"
"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."
Question 1 of 7
IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?
Origin of gainsay
OTHER WORDS FROM gainsay
gainsayer, nounun·gain·said, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use gainsay in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for gainsay
gainsay
/ (ɡeɪnˈseɪ) /
verb -says, -saying or -said
(tr) archaic, or literary to deny (an allegation, a statement, etc); contradict
Derived forms of gainsay
gainsayer, nounWord Origin for gainsay
C13 gainsaien, from gain- against + saien to say 1
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