say

interjectionmainly Americaninformal

UK /seɪ/

1
used for expressing surprise
Say, that’s a great idea!
Synonyms and related words
Interjections of surprise and shock
ooh
wow
well
2
used for getting someone’s attention before you ask a question or make a suggestion or remark
Say, are you OK?
Synonyms and related words
Expressions used for telling someone to pay attention
right
now then
hello

say

interjectioninformal

US /seɪ/

1
used for expressing surprise
Say, that’s a great idea!
Synonyms and related words
Interjections of surprise and shock
ooh
wow
well
2
used for getting someone’s attention before you ask a question or make a suggestion or remark
Say, are you OK?
Synonyms and related words
Expressions used for telling someone to pay attention
right
okay then
hello

say

noun singular/uncountable

UK /seɪ/

1
the right to give your opinion and be involved in a discussion about something
have a say in something:
The council made the decision. We had no say in the matter.
have a say on/over something:
Residents are being given a chance to have a say on the future of their town.
Synonyms and related words
Power, authority, influence and leadership
leadership
power
authority

phrases

the final say

have your say

say

noun singular/uncountable

US /seɪ/

1
the right to give your opinion and be involved in a discussion about something
have a say in something:
The council made the decision. We had no say in the matter.
have a say on/over something:
Residents are being given a chance to have a say on the future of their town.
Synonyms and related words
Power, authority, influence and leadership
oligopoly
superpower
heft

phrases

have your say

the final say

say

verb

UK /seɪ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	say
he/she/it	says
present participle	saying
past tense	said
past participle	said

1
intransitive/transitive to express something using words
‘Pleased to meet you,’ he said with a smile.
‘When’s he coming back?’ ‘He didn’t say.’
say (that):
She said that she liked dancing.
say how/what/who etc:
Did he say who called?
say something to someone:
Tell me what he said to you.
say hello/goodbye etc (to someone):
Say hello to Jenny for me!
say sorry (to someone for something):
I’ve already said sorry for hurting his feelings.
say yes/no (to someone/something) (=give/refuse permission):
The committee said yes, so we can go ahead.
a horrible/stupid/strange etc thing to say:
What an odd thing to say, Carrie thought.
say something on/about:
I want to say something on this subject.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to say something
say
talk
speak
2
transitive to think something, or to have a particular opinion
I think we should stop now. What do you say?
say (that):
He always said you’d be rich and famous one day.
I say we go (=I think we should go) by car: it’s quicker than the train.
would say so/not (=think it is likely/unlikely):
‘Will she meet the deadline?’ ‘I would say so.’
Synonyms and related words
To have an opinion or opinions
think
believe in
say
1. 2a
  if people say something or if something is said, it is the opinion of a lot of people
  they/people say (that):
  They say laughter is the best medicine.
  as they say:
  Time, as they say, is a great healer.
  be said to do something:
  She is said to have great talent as an artist.
  The castle is said to be haunted.
  it is said (that):
  It is said that he was introduced to the king by a wealthy cousin.
  Synonyms and related words
  To have an opinion or opinions
  think
  believe in
  say
3
transitive usually progressiveto mean something by a statement
say (that):
We are not saying that taxpayers should pay more.
Is she saying she hasn’t got any homework?
Synonyms and related words
To have a meaning
mean
intend
say
1. 3a
  to have a particular meaning for someone
  say something to someone:
  This music says nothing to me.
  Synonyms and related words
  To have a meaning
  mean
  intend
  say
4
transitive to give information or orders in writing, numbers, pictures etc
My watch says quarter to twelve.
say (that):
Her letter says she’s arriving at midday.
The rules say that we need a two-thirds majority to win.
say how/when/what etc:
Does it say on the box how much it costs?
Synonyms and related words
To tell someone something, or to give information
tell
deliver
report
5
transitive to show indirectly what someone or something is like
say something about someone/something:
Your home says a lot about you.
This incident says something about the way the company is run.
Synonyms and related words
To describe or define something
describe
define
illustrate
6
transitive usually in imperativeto imagine what will happen in a particular situation
Say you get £2,000 for the car – you’ll still need another thousand.
Synonyms and related words
To imagine, or to use your imagination
imagine
suppose
think up
7
transitive to use something as a possible example
Why don’t we have a break until, let’s say, 10.45?
Synonyms and related words
To mention something, or to be mentioned
mention
refer to
invoke
8
transitive informalto tell someone to do something
say to do something:
Mum said to do the dishes.
Synonyms and related words
To tell people what to do
order
order around
tell
9
transitive to repeat the words of something such as a prayer or speech that you have learned previously
They lit candles and said prayers for the dead.
Synonyms and related words
To say something again, or to repeat someone else’s words
repeat
paraphrase
quote
10
say it, don’t spray it
used to tell someone not to spit while they are speakingSubmitted by:
Caleb Judy from United States on 04/01/2018
Open Dictionary - January2018
11
he said, she said
used to describe a situation where there is disagreement about what happened, especially between a man and a woman, but no other witnesses to confirm or refute it
The myth is that allegations of sexual assault are simply a matter of ‘he said, she said’.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 04/10/2018
Open Dictionary - October2018

phrases

someone can’t say (something)

can’t say fairer than that

go without saying (that)

have something to say to someone/about something

have something/a lot/nothing etc to say for yourself

having said that

I must say (that)

I say

I wouldn’t say no (to something)

if I may say (so)

I’ll say

(just) say the word

not to say

say it all

say a lot/very little etc for

say no more

say this/that for someone

say something to yourself

say what (now)?

say what you like (about)

say when

say your piece

shall I/we say

that is to say

that said

that’s/it’s easier said than done

that’s not saying much

that’s not to say (that)

there’s something/a lot/not much etc to be said for something

though/if I say it myself

to say the least

to say nothing of

what do you say I/we do something?

what have you got to say for yourself?

what someone says goes

what would someone say to something?

when all is said and done

who can say?

who says?

who’s/what’s to say (that)?

you can say that again

you don’t say

you said it

say

verb

US /seɪ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	say
he/she/it	says
present participle	saying
past tense	said
past participle	said

1
intransitive/transitive to express something using words
“Nice to meet you,” he said with a smile.
“When’s he coming back?” “He didn’t say.”
say (that):
She said that she liked dancing.
say how/what/who etc.:
Did he say who called?
say something to someone:
Tell me what he said to you.
say hello/goodbye etc. (to someone):
Say hello to Jenny for me!
say sorry (to someone for something):
I already said sorry for hurting his feelings.
say yes/no (to someone/something) (=give/refuse permission):
The committee said yes, so we can go ahead.
a horrible/stupid/strange etc. thing to say:
What a strange thing to say, Carrie thought.
say something on/about:
I want to say something about this subject.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to say something
say
talk
speak
2
transitive to think something, or to have a particular opinion
I think we should stop now. What do you say?
say (that):
He always said you’d be rich and famous one day.
I say we go (=I think we should go) by car.
would say so/not (=think it is likely/unlikely):
“Will she meet the deadline?” “I would say so.”
Synonyms and related words
To have an opinion or opinions
think
believe in
say
1. 2a
  if people say something or if something is said, it is the opinion of a lot of people
  they/people say (that):
  They say laughter is the best medicine.
  as they say:
  Time, as they say, is a great healer.
  be said to do something:
  She is said to have great talent as an artist.
  The castle is said to be haunted.
  it is said (that):
  It is said that he was introduced to the king by a wealthy cousin.
  Synonyms and related words
  To have an opinion or opinions
  think
  believe in
  say
3
transitive usually progressiveto mean something by a statement
say (that):
We are not saying that taxpayers should pay more.
Is she saying she hasn’t got any homework?
Synonyms and related words
To have a meaning
mean
intend
say
1. 3a
  to have a particular meaning for someone
  say something to someone:
  This music says nothing to me.
  Synonyms and related words
  To have a meaning
  mean
  intend
  say
4
transitive to give information or orders in writing, numbers, pictures, etc.
My watch says quarter of twelve.
say (that):
Her letter says she’s coming at noon.
The rules say that we need a two-thirds majority to win.
say how/when/what etc.:
Does it say on the box how much it costs?
Synonyms and related words
To tell someone something, or to give information
tell
deliver
report
5
transitive to show indirectly what someone or something is like
say something about someone/something:
Your home says a lot about you.
This incident says something about the way the company is run.
Synonyms and related words
To describe or define something
describe
define
illustrate
6
transitive usually in imperativeto imagine what will happen in a particular situation
Say you get $2,000 for the car – you’ll still need another thousand.
Synonyms and related words
To imagine, or to use your imagination
imagine
suppose
think up
7
transitive to use something as a possible example
Why don’t we have a break until, let’s say, 10:45?
Synonyms and related words
To mention something, or to be mentioned
mention
refer to
invoke
8
transitive informalto tell someone to do something
say to do something:
Mom said to do the dishes.
Synonyms and related words
To tell people what to do
order
order around
tell
9
transitive to repeat the words of something such as a prayer or speech that you have learned previously
They lit candles and said prayers for the dead.
Synonyms and related words
To say something again, or to repeat someone else’s words
repeat
paraphrase
quote
10
say it, don’t spray it
used to tell someone not to spit while they are speakingSubmitted by:
Caleb Judy from United States on 04/01/2018
Open Dictionary - January2018
11
he said, she said
used to describe a situation where there is disagreement about what happened, especially between a man and a woman, but no other witnesses to confirm or refute it
The myth is that allegations of sexual assault are simply a matter of ‘he said, she said’.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 04/10/2018
Open Dictionary - October2018

phrases

someone can’t say (something)

can’t say fairer than that

go without saying (that)

have something to say to someone/about something

have something/a lot/nothing etc. to say for yourself

having said that

if I may say (so)

I must say (that)

I wouldn’t say no (to something)

I’ll say

(just) say the word

not to say

say it all

say a lot/very little etc. for

say no more

say this/that for someone

say something to yourself

say what?

say what you like (about)

say when

say your piece

shall I/we say

that is to say

that said

that’s/it’s easier said than done

that’s not saying much

that’s not to say (that)

there’s something/a lot/not much etc. to be said for something

though/if I say it myself

to say the least

to say nothing of

what do you say I/we do something?

what have you got to say for yourself?

what someone says goes

what would someone say to something?

when all is said and done

who can say?

who says?

who’s/what’s to say (that)?

you can say that again

you don’t say

you said it

say

say

say

say

say ​‌‌‌

say it, don’t spray it

he said, she said

say ​‌‌‌

say it, don’t spray it

he said, she said

say

say