yea
Americanadverb
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yes (used in affirmation or assent).
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indeed.
Yea, and he did come.
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not only this but even.
a good, yea, a noble man.
noun
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an affirmation; an affirmative reply or vote.
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a person who votes in the affirmative.
adverb
Usage
What does yea mean? Yea is an old way of saying yes. It’s especially used as a way of voting yes—the opposite of voting nay (no). In this sense, it can be used as a noun meaning a vote of yes, as in There are six yeas and three nays—the yeas have it. Based on its use in voting, yea is sometimes used in the informal question Yea or nay? (meaning Yes or no?). Yea is also found in old literature as a way of saying indeed or truly, as in Yea, he hath prevailed. Yea can also be used in expressions like about yea tall, meaning “about this tall.” When it’s used in this way, yea refers to the amount being indicated, such as by holding one’s hand at a certain height to indicate how tall something is. However, this sense of yea is more commonly spelled yay. Although the word yeah looks very similar to (and is often misspelled as) yea (and, yea, the two are related), yea in fact rhymes with its opposite, nay. This means it’s pronounced exactly like another word it’s confused with: yay (which is most commonly used as a celebratory exclamation). Example: Yay! The proposal passed unanimously! Everyone voted yea!
Etymology
Origin of yea
before 900; Middle English ye, ya, Old English gēa; cognate with Dutch, German, Old Norse, Gothic ja
Explanation
Yea sounds like "yay" and is another word for "yes." It's often paired with "nay" when taking a vote in formal government or law and sometimes when asking friends if they want to get together, "Yea or nay?" When an official asks for a vote on a bill or judgment, the question may be "How say you?" in the old style of English with an equally old-school response of "Yea" meaning a vote in favor. Using yea in casual conversation is less common but it's useful for showing that a person's "yes" counts as a vote because it matters in making a decision, as when you ask each other "Are you in or out — yea or nay?" when making plans.
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.
YEA: One of the surprises of the 2019 season was how inconsistent the Patriots were on offense as Brady relied heavily on veteran Julian Edelman while trying to work with a group of young receivers.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 1, 2020
YEA: The Titans are dangerous if Pro Bowl RB Derrick Henry keeps running like the NFL rushing leader with 1,540 yards in 15 games.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 1, 2020
YEA: The Bills are at their best when second-year QB Josh Allen doesn’t force throws.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 1, 2020
YEA: Since their last loss, way back in late September, the Ravens have been virtually unstoppable on offense and exceedingly stingy on defense.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 1, 2020
YEA, let that passe," quoth our Host, "as now.
From The Canterbury Tales, and Other Poems by Purves, D. Laing
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.
