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Synonyms

saying

American  
[sey-ing] / ˈseɪ ɪŋ /

noun

  1. something said, say, especially a proverb or apothegm.

    Synonyms:
    aphorism, saw, adage, maxim

idioms

  1. go without saying, to be completely self-evident; be understood.

    It goes without saying that you are welcome to visit us at any time.
saying British  
/ ˈseɪɪŋ /

noun

  1. a maxim, adage, or proverb

"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

Etymology

Origin of saying

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English (gerund); say 1, -ing 1

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.

“We started calling customers, saying, ‘Okay, we need some emergency help here,’” Dubuque said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

The OLC does a strange thing here where they try to wave this away by saying, Oh, well, here context matters.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

I was the one saying yes, and he actually was the one that said: "Let me have a little time, I've had a year out, let me have a warm-up."

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

“We spent decades and lots of money trying to discourage early childbearing, saying, ‘This will ruin your life.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Then I would write a little note saying that Mama had seen the person and wished her a happy birthday.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

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.