yea

American  

[yey] / yeɪ /

adverb

1. yes (used in affirmation or assent).

2. indeed.

   Yea, and he did come.

3. not only this but even.

   a good, yea, a noble man.

---

noun

1. an affirmation; an affirmative reply or vote.

2. a person who votes in the affirmative.

yea British  

/ jeɪ /

1. a less common word for aye 1

---

adverb

1. archaic (sentence modifier) indeed; truly

   yea, though my enemies spurn me, I shall prevail

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

Example Sentences

“So yea but please keep the fam in prayers,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

“So did I go past the time I needed to repay yea probably did, did i know they would locked me up, hellllllllll No,” Morris wrote, followed by four crying while laughing emojis.

From Los Angeles Times

He drew vocal reactions — yeas and nays, amens and laughs – from the friendly room.

From Seattle Times

The report includes a breakdown of the number of “yea” and “nay” votes, as well as abstentions, for each count for which the special grand jurors recommended charges.

From Seattle Times

Feijoo will need the support of 176 lawmakers out of the lower house's 350 deputies to clinch the premiership, or, failing that, a simple majority of more yeas than nays in a second vote.

From Reuters

Related Words

• yes