adv
Common
yea
yay
Yea (adv) means Yes; an affirmative reply, now mostly used in formal or archaic contexts. Example: “Yea, though the road be long, we shall press on together.”
adv
1
Yes; an affirmative reply, now mostly used in formal or archaic contexts.
"Yea, though the road be long, we shall press on together."
"Yea, verily, I shall attend."
"Yea, the people shall rejoice, for the long winter is over."
noun
1
A formal vote in favour of a motion.
"The yeas outnumbered the nays, and the bill passed."
"The chairman counted twelve yeas and five nays before announcing the result of the vote."
"Each member was called by name and answered with a yea or a nay."
How to use yea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal or old-fashioned way of saying "yes," still used today mainly in voting ("all in favour, say yea").
Common pairings
yeas and nays
yea or nay
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Word forms
- Plural
- yeas
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_____, though the road be long, we shall press on together.
Etymology
From Old English ġēa, an ancient Germanic word for "yes."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for yea
See all rhymes for yea →Frequently asked questions
What does “yea” mean?
The word “yea” means yes; an affirmative reply, now mostly used in formal or archaic contexts. In plain terms, a formal or old-fashioned way of saying "yes," still used today mainly in voting ("all in favour, say yea").
How do you pronounce “yea”?
“Yea” is pronounced yay (/jeɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “yea” in a sentence?
Here is “yea” used in a sentence: “Yea, verily, I shall attend.”
What is the opposite of “yea”?
The opposite of “yea” — its antonyms — are nay and no.
What part of speech is “yea”?
Depending on how it is used, “yea” can be an adverb and a noun.
Where does the word “yea” come from?
The word “yea” comes from Old English. From Old English ġēa, an ancient Germanic word for "yes.".
Is “yea” a common word?
“Yea” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “yea” have?
“Yea” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: yes; an affirmative reply, now mostly used in formal or archaic contexts.
What is the difference between "yea" and "yeah"?
Yea is a formal or archaic word for "yes," and in voting it means a vote in favour of a motion. Yeah is a casual, conversational way of saying yes and has nothing to do with formal voting.
What is the difference between "yea" and "nay"?
In a formal vote, a yea is a vote in favour of a motion, while a nay is a vote against it. Officials often call for "the yeas and the nays" to record who supports and who opposes a proposal.
Is "yea" the same word as "yay"?
No. "Yay" is an exclamation of delight or celebration, while yea means yes or an affirmative vote and is now mostly used in formal or archaic contexts. They sound alike but have different meanings and uses.
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