say
23 ENTRIES FOUND:
- say (verb)
- say (noun)
- say (interjection)
- saying (noun)
- say–so (noun)
- cheese (noun)
- dare (verb)
- die (verb)
- fair (adjective)
- goose (noun)
- hasten (verb)
- hear (verb)
- know (verb)
- least (noun)
- needless (adjective)
- never (adverb)
- nothing (pronoun)
- piece (noun)
- so (pronoun)
- suffice (verb)
- that (pronoun)
- what (pronoun)
- word (noun)
Britannica Dictionary definition of SAY
1
:
to use your voice to express (something) with words
[+ object]
-
“Is anybody there?” he said.
-
“Good morning,” said the woman behind the counter.
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I said three words before he interrupted me again.
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I just stopped by to say hello.
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He left without saying goodbye.
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I wanted to say thank you for all you've done for me.
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She said something about going to the store after work.
-
He said something in French.
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Anything you say to the police can be used as evidence against you.
-
Don't believe a word he says.
-
Please be quiet. I have something to say.
-
Listen closely, because I'm not going to say this again/twice.
-
What did you say?
-
Who shall I say is calling, Sir?
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Did she say how to get there?
-
I said to myself, “I can do it.”
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He said (that) he was a doctor.
-
I can honestly say (that) I had never seen that man before today.
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I already said (that) I was sorry.
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You know what they say, “If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.”
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As people/they say, “You can't teach an old dog new tricks.”
-
Her eyes are hazel, which is to say [=which means that] they are greenish brown.
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“A word of advice: don't mention the war.” “Say no more [=I understand you; you do not need to explain it further]—I'll stay off the subject!”
[no object]
-
“What happened next?” “I'd rather not say.”
2
[+ object]
:
to express (an opinion)
-
She thinks I should break up with him. What do you say? [=what's your opinion?]
-
What would/do you say to seeing a movie tonight? [=would you like to see a movie tonight?]
-
“After all, he was the last person to see her alive.” “Are you saying that (you think) he killed her?”
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I say you're wrong. [=my opinion is that you're wrong]
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I wouldn't say (that) he's a great guitarist [=I don't think he's a great guitarist]; he's just OK.
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They say (that) you should drink eight glasses of water a day. = It's said that you should drink eight glasses of water a day. [=the opinion of people who know about this subject is that you should drink eight glasses of water a day]
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New England is said to be [=many people think New England is] very beautiful in the Fall.
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“Is the island nice?” “So they/people say.”
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I must say it was quite a surprise to hear from him. = I have to say it was quite a surprise to hear from him.
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I'm not saying we shouldn't buy the car. All I'm saying is that we should think about it some more.
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I didn't really enjoy the movie, but that's not to say it was bad.
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Say what you like (about it), I thought it was a good movie.
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Seeing your reaction, I would say that you're jealous that he has a new girlfriend.
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The dress seems too fancy for the party, wouldn't you say? [=don't you agree?; do you think the same thing?]
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I'll say this for him —he's very generous with his money.
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“She's a great singer!” “If you say so.”
3
:
to express (a fact) with certainty
[+ object]
-
No one can say for sure whether it will happen.
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It is hard to say what caused the injury.
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There's no saying [=it is impossible to know] how many people died in the earthquake.
[no object]
-
“When will you be done?” “I couldn't/can't say.” [=I don't know]
◊ This sense is often used in indirect questions beginning with who to express disagreement or to say that something cannot be known for sure.
-
Who says I can't do it? I can do anything if I put my mind to it.
-
Who's to say they wouldn't have won if their team was healthy?
-
Who can say what will happen? [=no one knows what will happen]
4
:
to give (an order)
:
to tell someone to do (something)
[+ object]
-
I said leave me alone!
-
“Why do we have to go?” “Because your father and I said so.”
-
Mom said to wait here.
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She's the boss. What she says goes! [=you have to do what she tells you to do]
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“Let's try installing the program one more time.” “Whatever you say —you're the expert.”
-
“Don't you ever bring that subject up again, do you hear me?!” “Okay, okay. Whatever you say.”
[no object]
-
Don't start until I say (so/to).
5
[+ object]
:
to pronounce (a word)
-
How do you say your name?
6
[+ object]
:
to repeat or recite (something)
-
We always say our prayers before going to bed.
-
Can you say the poem from memory?
-
A new priest said Mass this morning.
7
[+ object]
:
to use written words to give (information)
-
What does the card say?
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Does the article say how the fire happened?
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The letter says that I've been accepted to the college.
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It says here that there will be a special guest at the concert.
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The instructions say to add two eggs.
8
[+ object]
:
to show or indicate (something) by using numbers, pictures, etc.
-
The clock says five minutes after ten.
-
The calendar says that Christmas falls on a Monday.
9
[+ object]
:
to express (a meaning, emotion, etc.) without using words
-
She likes art that really says something.
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The kind of car you drive says a lot about the kind of person you are.
-
The look on her face said “I'm sorry.”
-
His face said it all. = His face said everything. [=his face showed how he felt]
10
a
— used to suggest an example or possibility
-
Let's pick a math problem. Say problem number 3.
-
Say you do get accepted to the college. Will you go?
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We could leave on any day—say on Monday.
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Let's say you're right, for argument's sake.
-
Suppose you won, shall we say, one million dollars. What would you do with it?
b
— used to suggest a possible or approximate amount, value, etc.
-
The property is worth, say, four million dollars. = The property is worth four million dollars, say. [=the property is worth about four million dollars]
can't say fairer than that
British, informal
— used to say that you cannot make a better offer than the one you have made
-
What do you think? I can't say fairer than that, now, can I?
enough said
fair to say
go without saying
:
to be obvious and true
-
It goes without saying that I'll do whatever I can to help you.
hasten to say
have anything/something (etc.) to say about
1
:
to have an opinion to express about (something)
-
I asked what she thought about the movie, but she didn't have anything to say about it.
2
:
to have the ability to influence (something)
-
“I'm going to the party.” “Not if I have anything/something to say about it.” [=not if I can stop you]
have something/nothing/much (etc.) to say for yourself
:
to be able or unable to say something that explains what you are doing, have done, etc.
-
I asked him about school, but he didn't have much to say for himself.
-
Your teacher says you were caught cheating. What do you have to say for yourself?
having said that
or that said
:
despite what I just said
-
Their work has been fairly good. Having said that, I still think there's a lot of room for improvement.
-
Much of the book was very dull. That said, I have to admit that the ending was extremely clever.
I dare say
if I may say so
also if I might say so
— used to express criticism or disagreement in a polite way
-
The whole affair—if I may say so—was a waste of time.
if I say so myself
— used when you are saying something that praises your own work, skill, etc.
-
I did a fine job painting the room, if I say so myself.
-
I'm a pretty good golfer, if I say so myself.
I hear what you're saying
I'll say
informal
— used to indicate that you completely agree with something just said
-
“Isn't it hot today!” “I'll say (it is). It's unbearable!”
I say
British, old-fashioned
1
— used to express surprise, shock, etc.
-
I say! Isn't that your friend over there?
-
I say! That's a wonderful idea.
2
— used to attract the attention of someone
-
I say (there). Can you help me?
needless to say
never say die
never say never
not to say
— used to introduce a more forceful or critical way of describing someone or something
-
His manner was discourteous, not to say offensive.
-
He was impolite, not to say downright rude!
say cheese
say no
:
to say that you will not accept or agree to something
— often + to
-
We requested more time, but she said no. [=she refused to allow us to have more time]
-
She said no to our request.
-
I never say no to dessert.
say something/little/a lot (etc.) for
:
to show that (someone or something) does or does not deserve to be praised, admired, etc.
-
It says a lot for her that she stayed in the game even though she was injured.
-
The students' low test scores don't say much for the education they're receiving. [=the low test scores show/suggest that the students are not getting a good education]
say the word
say what
US, informal
— used to express surprise at what someone has just said
-
“I'm moving out.” “Say what?”
say yes
:
to say that you accept or agree to something
— often + to
-
They said yes to our plan.
say your piece
suffice (it) to say
that is to say
that said
that's not saying much
— used to indicate that a fact, achievement, etc., is not unusual or impressive
-
He is a better golfer than me, but that's not saying much (because I'm not a good golfer).
there is something/a lot/much (etc.) to be said for
— used to indicate that something has advantages which deserve to be considered when you are thinking about what to do
-
There is something to be said for small weddings.
-
It is not necessary, but there is something to be said for traveling abroad to learn a language.
to say nothing of
— used when referring to another thing that relates to what you have just said
-
We need more time, to say nothing of [=not to mention] money. [=we also need more money]
-
The restaurant makes its own delicious bread, to say nothing of a great spaghetti sauce.
to say the least
when all is said and done
you can say that again
informal
— used to indicate that you completely agree with something just said
-
“She's in a bad mood.” “You can say that again.” [=she certainly is]
you don't say
— used to express surprise
— often used ironically to show that you are not at all surprised by something
-
“She ran off with another man.” “You don't say!”
-
“They lost again.” “You don't say. What's that, eight in a row?”
you might say
— used to suggest a possible way of describing or thinking about something
-
The experience was, you might say, a glimpse into the future.
you said it
informal
— used to indicate that you completely agree with something just said
-
“That was a pretty selfish thing for him to do.” “You said it.”
-
“Let's grab something to eat.” “You said it. I'm starving.”
2
say
/ˈseɪ/
noun
2
say
/ˈseɪ/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of SAY
1
[singular]
:
an opportunity to express your opinion
-
Everybody had a say at the meeting.
-
We won't make a decision until all members have had their say.
2
:
the power to decide or help decide something
— usually + in
[singular]
-
The judge will have the final say on/over the divorce settlement.
-
The students want a greater say in decisions that affect their education.
[noncount]
-
He had no/some/little say in the matter.
3
say
/ˈseɪ/
interjection
3
say
/ˈseɪ/
interjection
Britannica Dictionary definition of SAY
chiefly US, informal
1
— used to express surprise, shock, etc.
-
Say, isn't that your friend over there?
-
Say, that's a wonderful idea.
2
— used to attract the attention of someone
-
Say there. Can you help me?
-
Say, do you want to see a movie tonight?
