# say

Pronunciation: say "SAY" /seɪ/

## Verb

1. To express something in words, in speech or writing, such as a fact, an opinion, or an answer.
   - Simple: To tell someone something in words, by speaking or writing.
   - _She says the train is late._
   - _I can't say what happened next._
2. Used in the passive or with they to pass on a common expression, rumor or well-known fact.
   - Simple: Used with 'they', or as 'it is said', to pass on a common belief or rumor.
   - _People say the bridge will never be finished._
   - _They say a watched pot never boils._
3. Of a written or displayed thing, to indicate or show.
   - Simple: To show some information, used about a sign, clock or letter.
   - _The label says to wash it cold._
   - _The letter didn't say when she was coming._
4. To pronounce or speak words aloud, including repeating or reciting a set text such as a prayer or poem.
   - Simple: To speak words out loud, including repeating set words such as a prayer or a poem.
   - _She said the name twice to be sure._
   - _Say it again, louder._
7. Used in the imperative to introduce a supposition or example. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: Used at the start of a sentence to ask someone to imagine something, like 'suppose'.
   - _Say we left at six, we'd be there well before noon._
   - _Say you lost your job tomorrow: how long could you live on your savings?_
8. Of a look, gesture, action or fact: to convey something or make it known without the use of words.
   - Simple: Of a look, a movement, an action or a fact, to show something without using words.
   - _He didn't answer, but the way he shrugged said everything._
   - _What does it say about the company that nobody noticed the error for a year?_
10. Of money or a possession, to stake on an outcome, expressing the speaker's confidence in it. *(colloquial)*
   - Simple: Used about money you would bet, to show you feel sure something will happen.
   - _Ten dollars says he's late again._
   - _A hundred dollars says the new bridge won't be finished on time._

## Noun

6. An opportunity to express an opinion, or the ability or authority to affect or determine what is decided.
   - Simple: The chance to give your opinion, or the power to help decide.
   - _Shareholders get a say at the annual meeting._
   - _He had the final say on every hire._
15. A fine cloth resembling serge, in older use.
   - Simple: An old kind of fine woolen cloth, like serge.
   - _The shepherd's coat was of gray say._
   - _Bolts of say filled the draper's shelves._
16. A strainer for milk; a sieve used in the dairy. *(dialectal, Scotland)*
   - Simple: In Scotland, a strainer for milk.
   - _Every farm kitchen had a say and a churn._
   - _Wash the say well or the milk will turn._

## Adverb

5. For example, or as a rough estimate; let us assume.
   - Simple: For example, or as a rough guess.
   - _Bring a few friends, say, six or seven._
   - _Meet me at, say, half past three._

## Interjection

9. Used to catch someone's attention before a question or suggestion. *(colloquial, US)*
   - Simple: A word used to get someone's attention before a question or idea.
   - _Say, isn't that your brother over there?_
   - _Say, why don't we take the day off?_

## Verb

11. In obsolete use, to try or test; an aphetic form of assay. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To try or test something, an old shortened form of 'assay'.

## Noun

12. An essay, trial or attempt. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: An old word for a try or attempt.
13. A trial by sample; an assay or specimen. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: An old word for a sample or test.
14. Tried quality, temper or proof. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: An old word for the proven quality or strength of something.

## Origin

**Meanings 1–10** — "Say" comes from Middle English "seyen" and Old English "secgan" ("to say, speak"), from Proto-Germanic "*sagjaną" and ultimately a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to tell, talk." It is related to Dutch "zeggen," German "sagen," and Swedish "säga." The adverb and interjection come from the verb.
**Meaning 15** — Latin "sagum" meant "military cloak," and its plural "saga" became Middle French "saie," the source of this sense.
**Meanings 11–14** — This is an aphetic (shortened) form of "assay."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/say (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).