say
verb (used with object)
to utter or pronounce; speak.
say
1 American
[sey]
/ seɪ /
verb (used with object)
said,
saying
-
to utter or pronounce; speak.
What did you say? I said “Hello!”
-
to express in words; state; declare; word.
Say it clearly and simply. It's hard to know how to say this tactfully.
-
to state as an opinion or judgment.
I say her plan is the better one.
-
to be certain, precise, or assured about; determine.
It is hard to say what is wrong.
-
to recite or repeat.
to say one's prayers.
-
to report or allege; maintain.
People say he will resign.
-
to express (a message, viewpoint, etc.), as through a literary or other artistic medium.
a writer with something to say.
-
to indicate or show.
What does your watch say?
-
to assume as a hypothesis or estimate.
Let's say, for the sake of argument, that it's true.
verb (used without object)
said,
saying
adverb
-
It's, say, 14 feet long.
-
for example.
If you serve, say tuna fish and potato chips, it will cost much less.
noun
-
what a person says or has to say.
-
the right or opportunity to speak, decide, or exercise influence.
to have one's say in choosing the candidate.
-
a turn to say something.
It is now my say.
interjection
idioms
say
2
American
[sey]
/ seɪ /
verb (used with object)
say
3
American
[sey]
/ seɪ /
noun
Say
4
American
[sey]
/ seɪ /
noun
-
Jean Baptiste 1767–1832, French economist.
-
Thomas, 1787–1834, U.S. entomologist.
say
1
British
/ seɪ /
verb
-
to speak, pronounce, or utter
-
(also intr) to express (an idea) in words; tell
we asked his opinion but he refused to say
-
(also intr; may take a clause as object) to state (an opinion, fact, etc) positively; declare; affirm
-
to recite
to say grace
-
(may take a clause as object) to report or allege
they say we shall have rain today
-
(may take a clause as object) to take as an assumption; suppose
let us say that he is lying
-
(may take a clause as object) to convey by means of artistic expression
the artist in this painting is saying that we should look for hope
-
to make a case for
there is much to be said for either course of action
-
(usually passive) to persuade or coax (someone) to do something
If I hadn't been said by her, I wouldn't be in this fix
-
to be so obvious as to need no explanation
-
informal an exclamation of surprise
-
even; and indeed
-
in other words; more explicitly
-
as well as; even disregarding
he was warmly dressed in a shirt and heavy jumper, to say nothing of a thick overcoat
-
without the slightest exaggeration; at the very least
adverb
-
approximately
there were, say, 20 people present
-
for example
choose a number, say, four
noun
-
the right or chance to speak
let him have his say
-
authority, esp to influence a decision
he has a lot of say in the company's policy
-
a statement of opinion
you've had your say, now let me have mine
interjection
say
2
British
/ seɪ /
noun
say
More Idioms
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of say1
First recorded before 900; Middle English seyen, seggen, Old English secgan; cognate with Dutch zeggen, German sagen, Old Norse segja; akin to saw 3
Origin of say2
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English saien, sayen, shortening of assaien, assayen to assay
Origin of say3
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English sai(e), a kind of serge, from Old French saie, saye “long-skirted coat,” from Medieval Latin saia, sagum, a kind of cloth, from Latin saga, plural of sagum “coarse woolen cloak, soldier's cloak,” from Gaulish sogom
Explanation
To have your say means to get an opportunity to deliver your opinion on something. If you're at a loud and hostile town council meeting, you might not get a chance to have your say unless you shout it. Say means to speak, so any time you utter a word, you're saying it. If you write an editorial about dogs in the paper, that's also a form of saying. Someone could quote you as saying "dogs should be worshipped." You can say something with your body language, too. Like most common words, say is very old, coming from the Old English sęcgan, meaning "to tell."
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.
See Examples For:
For instance, analysts say, it is unclear how exactly the U.S. would procure the crude.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
Officials say otter attacks on people are uncommon.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
The long distances and extended deployments will also put a significant strain on ship maintenance in the future, analysts say.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
Yolanda Olejniczak Marodi was arrested in Mexicali on Saturday and handed over to U.S. marshals in San Diego, authorities say.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
“Don’t be mad at Father. Be mad at me,” I say, turning on the perch.
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Say something like, “Let’s grab drinks around 8:30 p.m. I want to cook myself dinner before our fun night out.”
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026
“Don’t Say Good Luck” is predictable but undeniably sweet, aided by a star-making turn by Sandler, who’s already miles past her father in terms of quality Netflix originals.
From Salon ● Sep. 2, 2026
Appeared in the September 2, 2026, print edition as 'When AIs Say They’re Sentient'.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
Tickets for the two concerts, scheduled for October 10 and 11 in Saint Petersburg, appeared on the website of Moscow-based events organiser Say Agency earlier this month.
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
“Now say it, Sammy. Say it before I start gettin’ pissed.”
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
“People want to watch actual real humans play sports,” said Sudeep Ramnani, founder of 885 Capital, an investor in Professional Fighters League, a mixed martial arts league.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
“I finally climbed up on a bigger rock and got away from it, but it kept circling the area, so I knew I couldn’t get back in the water,” Bellin said on social media.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
It said it would ensure a stable supply of low-cost oil that can facilitate refilling the federal stockpile.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
“These are not vanity trophy assets for us,” said Miller, whose firm’s other bets include consumer brands like Blank Street Coffee and 7th Street Burger.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
Perhaps she will come to like the place, as she said.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
A crowd of at least 200 faculty, students and supporters gathered at Tommy Trojan on campus Wednesday afternoon, holding signs saying “Union Now!” and “Respect Faculty Now,” and chanted “Drop the appeal! Elections matter!”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
The Maltese government issued a statement saying it "took note" of the verdict and was "committed to ensuring that justice is served".
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
As the saying goes, age is but a number.
From Slate ● Sep. 2, 2026
Many fans commented on Ferretti's post, saying they are "so excited" and "can't wait to see Mr and Mrs Hayward on screen".
From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026
With an effort, Torak forced his mind to what she was saying.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
