say
(sā)
[Middle English seien, from Old English secgan.]
verb: said (sĕd), say·ing, says (sĕz)
transitive verb
- To utter aloud; pronounce: The children said, “Good morning.”
- To express in words: Say what's on your mind.
- To state as one's opinion or judgment; declare: I say let's eat out.
- To state as a determination of fact: It's hard to say who is right in this matter.
- To repeat or recite: said grace.
- To report or maintain; allege.
- To indicate; show: The clock says half past two.
- To give nonverbal expression to; signify or embody: It was an act that said “devotion.”
- To suppose; assume: Let's say that you're right.
intransitive verb
- To make a statement; express oneself: The story must be true because the teacher said so.
noun
- A turn or chance to speak: Having had my say, I sat down.
- The right or power to influence or make a decision: Citizens have a say in the councils of government. All I want is some say in the matter.
- Archaic Something said; a statement.
adverb
- Approximately: There were, say, 500 people present.
- For instance: a woodwind, say an oboe.
interjection
- Used to express surprise or appeal for someone's attention.
idioms
- I say
- Used preceding an utterance to call attention to it: I say, do you have the time? Used as an exclamation of surprise, delight, or dismay.
- that is to say
- In other words.
- to say nothing of
- And there is no need to mention. Used to allude to things that fill out an idea or argument: The yard is a mess, to say nothing of the house.
- you can say that again
- Used to express strong agreement with what has just been said.
derivatives
- saýer
- noun
