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

“There is no violence in the game,” the rep said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

"Mum died just before the court case so she's never seen what happened," said Lizzie.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

The pivot from sculpture to video games was necessitated by current events, said a member of the group.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

"I wanted to tell my mum for years and years, and I just couldn't bring myself to tell her," said Lizzie.

From BBC • May 11, 2026

“Not necessarily,” her moshom said, getting up from the picnic table.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith