verb

say

verb

To speak words; to express something out loud or in writing.

"She said she would be late for dinner."

"What did the email say about the deadline?"

To suppose or assume something, often used to set up a hypothetical example.

"Say you won the lottery tomorrow — what would you do first?"

noun

The right or opportunity to give an opinion that influences a decision.

"Employees wanted more say in how the office was run."

intj

Used to get someone's attention before asking a question or making a suggestion.

"Say, do you know what time the shop closes?"

How to Use Say

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe everyday verb for speaking or expressing something, plus a noun sense for having influence in a decision.

Common mistake

"Say" takes an object directly ("say something") whereas "tell" needs a person ("tell someone something") — don't swap them.

Easily confused with

tell →

Common pairings

say so have a say needless to say say goodbye

Word Forms

said past tense, sayed past tense, say plural, said plural, says plural, says plural, says plural, says plural, says singular, say singular, said singular, sayest singular, saidst singular, sayeth singular, saith singular, says singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

What did the email _____ about the deadline?

Etymology

From Old English secgan, "to say" — an ancient Germanic verb related to German sagen and Dutch zeggen.

Synonyms

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blather dictate gab report speak state tell utter verbalize voice yak

Antonyms

sign signal write

Related Words

nonsense write symptom yak talk voice law speak

Rhymes for say

ay may day ray hay lay pay jay way yay nay bay

See all rhymes for say →

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blather dictate gab report speak state tell utter verbalize voice yak sign