said

¹ American  

[sed] / sɛd /

verb

1. simple past tense and past participle of say.

---

adjective

1. Chiefly Law. named or mentioned before; aforesaid; aforementioned.

   said witness;

   said sum.

said ² American  

[sah-id] / ˈsɑ ɪd /

noun

Islam.

1. sayyid.

---

said ¹ British  

/ sɛd /

adjective

1. (prenominal) (in contracts, pleadings, etc) named or mentioned previously; aforesaid

---

verb

1. the past tense and past participle of say 1

said ² British  

/ ˈsɑːɪd /

noun

1. a variant of sayyid

---

said Idioms  

1. see easier said than done; enough said; no sooner said than done; when all's said and done; you said it. Also see under say.

---

Etymology

Origin of said

First recorded in 1300–50, for the adjective

Explanation

The word said is the past tense of the verb "say," but it can also be used as an adjective to refer to something that has been previously introduced. Although said is most commonly used as the past tense of the verb say, its use as an adjective comes mainly in legal and business writing. In that vein, the word offers a reference to something that was mentioned earlier. The judge may tell you that if you can't provide said evidence, your case will be dismissed. That evidence was mentioned before. If you don't know what the said example is, you must not have been paying attention.

Example Sentences

Washington attorney Roman Martinez, a former clerk for Roberts, said the court is “clearly right of center” but the decision on tariffs was the most important of the year.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

The Reconstruction Congress wrote this rule into the 14th Amendment and said “All persons born” here are citizens by birth.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

Smith did not specify the type of cancer, but said the illness had spread and Whimsy needed to begin chemotherapy.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

The content creator said her daughter underwent numerous X-rays, ultrasounds and a biopsy before the hospital team determined the cancer diagnosis.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

“Girl, you know that’s grown folks’ business, like I said.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold