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).

---

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

---

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; 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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

I mean, college was stressful, sometimes depressing and often a bit of a slog, but it was also the only time of my life when I was encouraged, nay mandated, to be a philosopher.

From Salon • Aug. 31, 2024

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

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2024

The party did not hold a vote when its officers met last week, but it had initially been described to BBC News NI by one source as a "yay or nay" meeting.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2024

“Nay, nay, read on.—You will find how very much he suffers.”

From "Emma" by Jane Austen