say
say Lexical Profile
say Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To utter words using the voice in order to convey information, an opinion, or a feeling.
"She paused at the door to say goodbye to her colleagues before leaving for the weekend."
To convey or communicate specific information, instructions, or a measurement in written or symbolic form (of a text, sign, or instrument).
"The road sign ahead says that the mountain pass is closed for maintenance."
To assume, suppose, or take as a hypothesis for the sake of argument or planning.
"Let's say the train is delayed by an hour; we will still arrive in time for the conference."
• noun
An opportunity to state one's opinion or exercise influence and authority in making a decision.
"Every member of the committee should have an equal say in how the budget is allocated."
• adverb
Approximately or about; used before a number or quantity to indicate an estimate or hypothetical example.
"The renovation will cost, say, twenty thousand dollars if we do the painting ourselves."
• interjection
North American Used to attract someone's attention, introduce a question or remark, or express mild surprise.
"Say, aren't you the architect who designed the new community library?"
Word Nuance & Usage
Unlike 'tell', which typically requires an indirect object indicating the listener (e.g., 'tell me the truth'), 'say' focuses on the words spoken and requires the preposition 'to' when specifying the listener (e.g., 'say something to me').
• Rhymes for say
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English secgan ('to utter, inform, speak, tell, relate'), from Proto-Germanic *sagjana, ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root *sekʷ- ('to point out, say, utter').