say
say
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "say" is /seɪ/.
/seɪ/
Word Form Variations
Base form/Infinitive: say
Third-person singular present: says
Past tense: said
Past participle: said
Present participle/Gerund: saying
Noun: say (as in "have your say")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To utter words or articulate sounds, often to express a thought, feeling, or information.
Synonyms: speak, state, express, declare, voice, articulate
Antonyms: listen, silence, suppress, withhold
Definition 2: To suggest or propose a particular idea or course of action.
Synonyms: suggest, propose, recommend, advise, put forth
Antonyms: oppose, reject, disagree
Definition 3: To recite or repeat something, such as a prayer, a poem, or a line from a script.
Synonyms: recite, repeat, utter, deliver, enunciate
Antonyms: mumble, omit, forget
Definition 4: To have a significant impact or influence on something; to matter. (Often used in negative constructions like "it doesn't say much for...")
Synonyms: indicate, show, signify, imply, attest to
Antonyms: irrelevant, unimportant, meaningless
Noun
Definition 1: The right or opportunity to express one's opinion or contribute to a decision.
Synonyms: input, voice, opinion, contribution, influence
Antonyms: silence, exclusion, disenfranchisement
Examples of Use
Books: " 'You don't say much, do you?' he asked, breaking the comfortable silence between them." (From Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens)
Newspapers: "Economists say the central bank's latest interest rate hike is likely to slow inflation." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications: "Tech giant Google is set to say goodbye to its third-party cookies by early 2025, a move that could reshape online advertising." (Reuters)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms (Film): "Go ahead, make my day." (Clint Eastwood as Harry Callahan in Sudden Impact)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms (Television): "What I like about you is you're honest. You say what you think." (The Good Place, Episode: "Mindful Meditation,")
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms (Music): "You say you want a revolution / Well, you know / We all want to change the world." (The Beatles, "Revolution,")
General Public Discourse: "When asked about the new policy, the minister would only say that details would be released next week."
General Public Discourse: "I need to have my say about the proposed changes to the community park."
General Public Discourse: "People always say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day."
10 Quotes Using Say
"Well done is better than well said." (Benjamin Franklin)
"If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman." (Margaret Thatcher)
"My mama always said, life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." (Forrest Gump, Forrest Gump)
"They may forget what you said - but they will never forget how you made them feel." (Carl W. Buehner)
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"If a million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." (Anatole France)
"I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'" (Muhammad Ali)
"When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land." (Desmond Tutu)
"What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting." (J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan)
Etymology
The word "say" has a long history, going back many centuries. It comes from the Old English word "seċġan," which meant "to utter, inform, speak, tell, or relate."
Before Old English, its roots can be traced back through Proto-Germanic (sagjaną) and ultimately to an even older language called Proto-Indo-European (sekʷ-), which was spoken thousands of years ago. This ancient root basically meant "to tell" or "to talk."
So, the very first known use and meaning of "say" was very much what we understand today: the act of speaking or communicating something with words. It's a fundamental word in our language that has stayed remarkably consistent in its core meaning over a very long time.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Say
To say the least: This means that what has just been said is an understatement.
Have your say: To express your opinion or viewpoint.
Say no more: Used to indicate that you understand what someone means without them having to elaborate further.
You don't say! An exclamation of surprise, often used ironically.
To say grace: To offer a prayer of thanks before or after a meal.
As the saying goes: Introducing a well-known proverb or common expression.
Say what you mean and mean what you say: To be direct and honest in your communication.
A-say-so: Authority or permission to do something. (e.g., "I need a-say-so from the boss.")
To say boo to a goose: To be timid or easily intimidated. (Often used in the negative: "He couldn't say boo to a goose.")
What do you say? An informal way to ask for someone's opinion or agreement.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of say from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
