Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

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

"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

verb

  1. the past tense and past participle of 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
said 2 British  
/ ˈsɑːɪd /

noun

  1. a variant of sayyid

"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

said Idioms  

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.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I do not stand here with hatred for a desire for revenge. I hold no grudges against Mr. Jackson,” Smith said in court.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass were among the many who condemned the court’s decision, he said.

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

The Constitution wrote this promise into law, Roberts said, and the president may not change it.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026

"Sancho, my brother, adventure is before us!" he said.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "said" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com