shay
Shay (noun) means an old-fashioned light horse-drawn carriage. Example: “The museum has a Victorian shay on display, complete with leather seats.”
How to use shay
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old two-wheeled or four-wheeled carriage pulled by a horse; also a common Irish first name.
The carriage sense is old-fashioned and mostly shows up in period fiction or history writing, not everyday speech.
Word forms
shays plural, Shays plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum has a Victorian _____ on display, complete with leather seats.
Etymology
A back-formation from "chaise" — people heard the French plural-sounding \"-aise\" ending and assumed \"shay\" was the singular.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for shay
See all rhymes for shay →Frequently asked questions
What does “shay” mean?
The word “shay” means an old-fashioned light horse-drawn carriage. In plain terms, an old two-wheeled or four-wheeled carriage pulled by a horse; also a common Irish first name.
How do you pronounce “shay”?
“Shay” is pronounced shay (/ʃeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “shay” in a sentence?
Here is “shay” used in a sentence: “The museum has a Victorian shay on display, complete with leather seats.”
What part of speech is “shay”?
Depending on how it is used, “shay” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “shay” come from?
The word “shay” comes from French. A back-formation from "chaise" — people heard the French plural-sounding \"-aise\" ending and assumed \"shay\" was the singular.
How many meanings does “shay” have?
“Shay” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old-fashioned light horse-drawn carriage.