nay

American  

[ney] / neɪ /

adverb

1. and not only so but; not only that but also; indeed.

   many good, nay, noble qualities.

2. Archaic. no (used in dissent, denial, or refusal).

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noun

1. a denial or refusal.

2. a negative vote or voter.

nay British  

/ neɪ /

1. archaic an archaic or dialect (except in voting by voice) word for no 1

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noun

1. 1. a person who votes in the negative

   2. a negative vote

adverb

1. archaic (sentence modifier) an emphatic form of no 1

Etymology

Origin of nay

1125–75; Middle English nai, nei < Old Norse nei no, contraction of ne not + ei ever; see na, ay ¹

Explanation

A nay is a "no" or "negative" vote. If you vote nay during your club's vote, you are voting against the proposal. If your teacher holds a vote on whether to have a pizza party instead of a geometry quiz, it's unlikely anyone will vote nay. Long ago, the word nay was simply used as a substitute for "no," but it sounds odd today: "Nay, I don't need any ketchup with my fries." You can use it, however, to mean "this word is more appropriate," as when you say, "I'm upset, nay furious, that you forgot my birthday."

Example Sentences

There’s a strong possibility — nay, probability — that a lot of you skipped the original incarnations of “Spartacus,” starting with the first season that bowed in 2010.

From Salon • Dec. 7, 2025

On Tuesday the House and Senate passed the Epstein files bill with only one nay vote.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

It had been a busy year — nay, decade — for the Jacksons’ costume designer, the image architect behind Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and “Bad” eras.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2025

On one vote, Lindsey Graham, distracted in conversation with Cory Booker, voted aye when he meant to vote nay.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2024

‘At that his breath came like the hiss of snakes, and all who stood by shuddered, but Dáin said: “I say neither yea nor nay.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien