adv
Uncommon
nay
nay
Nay (adv) means an old-fashioned or formal way to say "no.". Example: “Nay, I will not agree to those terms.”
adv
1
An old-fashioned or formal way to say "no."
"Nay, I will not agree to those terms."
noun
1
A vote against a proposal.
"Recently senators could fax in their yeas or nays to the committee chairman."
— , Still Broken After All These Years (2009)
"I vote nay, even though the motion is popular, because I would rather be right than popular."
"The nays outnumbered the ayes, so the motion failed."
How to use nay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old or formal word for "no," or a vote against something.
When to use it
Rare in everyday speech today outside of formal votes ("all in favor... all opposed, nay") or deliberately old-fashioned writing.
Common pairings
ayes and nays
vote nay
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Word forms
- Plural
- nays
- Third person singular
- nays
- Past tense
- nayed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____, I will not agree to those terms.
Etymology
From Old Norse nei, "no" — a contraction of ne ("not") and ei ("ever"). A doublet of the modern word "no."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for nay
See all rhymes for nay →Frequently asked questions
What does “nay” mean?
The word “nay” means an old-fashioned or formal way to say "no.". In plain terms, an old or formal word for "no," or a vote against something.
How do you pronounce “nay”?
“Nay” is pronounced nay (/neɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “nay” in a sentence?
Here is “nay” used in a sentence: “Nay, I will not agree to those terms.”
What part of speech is “nay”?
Depending on how it is used, “nay” can be an adverb and a noun.
Where does the word “nay” come from?
The word “nay” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse nei, "no" — a contraction of ne ("not") and ei ("ever"). A doublet of the modern word "no.".
Is “nay” a common word?
“Nay” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nay” have?
“Nay” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old-fashioned or formal way to say "no.".
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