say

Syllabification: (say)

Pronunciation: /sā/

Translate say | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of say

verb (says /sez/; past and past participle said /sed/)

1 [reporting verb] utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, a feeling or intention, or an instruction: [with direct speech]:“Thank you,” he said [with clause]:he said the fund stood at $100,000 [with object]:our parents wouldn’t believe a word we said [with infinitive]:he said to come early
(of a text or a symbolic representation) convey specified information or instructions: [with clause]:the law says such behavior is an offense
[with object] enable a listener or reader to learn or understand something by conveying or revealing (information or ideas):I don’t want to say too much figurativethe movie’s title says it all
[with object] (of a clock or watch) indicate (a specified time):the clock says ten past two
(be said) be asserted or reported (often used to avoid committing the speaker or writer to the truth of the assertion): [with infinitive]:they were said to be training freedom fighters [with clause]:it is said that she lived to be over a hundred
[with object] (say something for) present a consideration in favor of or excusing (someone or something):all I can say for him is that he’s a better writer than some
[with object] utter the whole of (a speech or other set of words, typically one learned in advance):we say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning

2 [with clause] assume something in order to work out what its consequences would be; make a hypothesis:let’s say we pay five thousand dollars in the first year
used parenthetically to indicate that something is being suggested as possible or likely but not certain:the form might include, say, a dozen questions

exclamation

North American informal

used to express surprise or to draw attention to a remark or question:say, did you notice any blood?

noun

[in singular]

an opportunity for stating one’s opinion or feelings:the voters are entitled to have their say on the treaty
an opportunity to influence developments and policy:the assessor will have a say in how the money is spent the households concerned would still have some say in what happened

Phrases

go without saying: be obvious:it goes without saying that teachers must be selected with care
[translating French (cela) va sans dire]
have something to say for oneself: contribute to a conversation or discussion, especially as an explanation for one’s behavior or actions:haven’t you anything to say for yourself?
how say you?: Law how do you find? (addressed to the jury when requesting its verdict).
I (or he, she, etc.) cannot (or could not) say: I (or he, she, etc.) do not know.
I'll say: informal used to express emphatic agreement:“That was a good landing.” “I’ll say!”
I must (or have to) say: I cannot refrain from saying (used to emphasize an opinion):you have a nerve, I must say!
I say!: British dated used to express surprise or to draw attention to a remark:I say, that’s a bit much!
I wouldn't say no: informal used to indicate that one would like something.
not to say: used to introduce a stronger alternative or addition to something already said:it is easy to become sensitive, not to say paranoid
say no more: informal used to indicate that one understands what someone is trying to imply.
says you!: informal used in speech to express disagreement or disbelief:“He’s guilty.” “Says you! I think he’s innocent.”
say when: informal said when helping someone to food or drink to instruct them to indicate when they have enough.
say the word: give permission or instructions to do something.
that is to say: see that.
there is no saying: it is impossible to know.
they say: it is rumored.
to say nothing of: another way of saying not to mention (see mention).
to say the least: see least.
what do (or would) you say: used to make a suggestion or offer:what do you say to a glass of wine?
when all is said and done: when everything is taken into account (used to indicate that one is making a generalized judgment about a situation).
you can say that again!: informal used in spoken English to express emphatic agreement.
you don't say!: informal used to express amazement or disbelief.
you said it!: informal used to express the feeling that someone’s words are true or appropriate.

Derivatives

sayable
sayer: [usually in combination]:naysayers

Origin:

Old English secgan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeggen and German sagen

say in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of say in the British & World English dictionary

Subscriber login

Library card login

Other

verb (says /sez/; past and past participle said /sed/)

exclamation

noun

Phrases

go without saying

have something to say for oneself

how say you?

I (or he, she, etc.) cannot (or could not) say

I'll say

I must (or have to) say

I say!

I wouldn't say no

not to say

say no more

says you!

say when

say the word

that is to say

there is no saying

they say

to say nothing of

to say the least

what do (or would) you say

when all is said and done

you can say that again!

you don't say!

you said it!

Derivatives

sayable

sayer

Origin:

say in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for say

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Word of the day

cur