jay

[ jey ]

/ dʒeɪ /

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noun

any of several noisy, vivacious birds of the crow family, subfamily Garrulinae, as the crested Garrulus glandarius, of the Old World, having brownish plumage with blue, black, and white barring on the wings.Compare blue jay, gray jay.

Informal. a simpleminded or gullible person.

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Origin of jay

1275–35; Middle English jai<Middle French <Late Latin gāius, gāia, perhaps after Latin Gāius man's name

Words nearby jay

jawrope, jaws, jaw's-harp, Jaws of Life, Jaxartes, jay, Jaya, Jayapura, Jayawardene, Jayawijaya, jaybird

Other definitions for jay (2 of 3)

jay²

[ jey ]

/ dʒeɪ /

noun Slang.

a marijuana cigarette.

Origin of jay

First recorded in 1965–70; probably spelling of initial consonant of joint, perhaps suggested by pig Latin version ointjay

Other definitions for jay (3 of 3)

Jay

[ jey ]

/ dʒeɪ /

noun

John, 1745–1829, U.S. statesman and jurist: first chief justice of the U.S. 1789–95.

a male given name.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use jay in a sentence

There just wasn’t anything Jay wouldn’t do to make things work.
After decades together, Jay Marsh is saying good-bye, and George Mason is saying thanks|John Feinstein|February 26, 2021|Washington Post
Jay played two seasons for Linn and, after graduating, became a volunteer assistant and then a full-time assistant before going to work in the business office.
After decades together, Jay Marsh is saying good-bye, and George Mason is saying thanks|John Feinstein|February 26, 2021|Washington Post
Jay assigned himself the Eastern Circuit, which included his home state of New York, Roberts wrote.
Chief Justice Roberts, in year-end report, thanks judiciary for performance during pandemic|Robert Barnes|December 31, 2020|Washington Post
There were no cases to hear, so Jay and a colleague began circuit-riding, traveling around the young country to hear cases in lower courts.
Chief Justice Roberts, in year-end report, thanks judiciary for performance during pandemic|Robert Barnes|December 31, 2020|Washington Post

According to Jay, fat reduction has more to do with your meals than your workouts.
Some trainers tout HIIT as the best way to burn belly fat. Here’s what science says.|Pam Moore|December 15, 2020|Washington Post
Some of the things that Jay lied about to the cops actually make a ton of sense.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline|Emily Shire|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jay is hard to empathize with and his silence suggests that, yeah, something is up.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline|Emily Shire|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Adnan is far more likeable than Jay because we hear directly from him.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline|Emily Shire|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That explanation is believable…but increasingly less so when you hear Jay talk about the nature of his relationship with Adnan.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline|Emily Shire|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In all fairness to Jay, he told The Intercept that he never expected to be a major figure in Serial.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline|Emily Shire|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The local name "Geai" may perhaps have misled him as to the occasional appearance of the Jay.
Birds of Guernsey (1879)|Cecil Smith
It would give every jay legisature a show to rough the railroads beautifully.
Scattergood Baines|Clarence Budington Kelland
The names Jay, Peacock, and Parrott point to showiness and pride and empty talkativeness.
Stories That Words Tell Us|Elizabeth O'Neill
The Jews are no more God's chosen people than the jay is his chosen bird, or the mosquito his chosen insect.
Tyranny of God|Joseph Lewis
Jay staggered back against the wall, then collapsed to the floor.
The Status Civilization|Robert Sheckley

British Dictionary definitions for jay (1 of 2)

jay

/ (dʒeɪ) /

noun

any of various passerine birds of the family Corvidae (crows), esp the Eurasian Garrulus glandarius, with a pinkish-brown body, blue-and-black wings, and a black-and-white crestSee also blue jay

a foolish or gullible person

Word Origin for jay

C13: from Old French jai, from Late Latin gāius, perhaps from proper name Gāius

British Dictionary definitions for jay (2 of 2)

Jay

/ (dʒeɪ) /

noun

John 1745–1829, American statesman, jurist, and diplomat; first chief justice of the Supreme Court (1789–95). He negotiated the treaty with Great Britain (Jay's treaty, 1794), that settled outstanding disputes

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

jay

Origin of jay

Words nearby jay

Other definitions for jay (2 of 3)

Origin of jay

Other definitions for jay (3 of 3)

Words related to jay

How to use jay in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for jay (1 of 2)

Word Origin for jay

British Dictionary definitions for jay (2 of 2)