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verb

/seɪ/

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

Other entries for this word

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Get It Right!

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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
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."
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
1. a.
  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.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
3
[transitive] [usually progressive] to 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?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
1. a.
  to have a particular meaning for someone
  say something to someone:
  This music says nothing to me.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of 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?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
6
[transitive] [usually in imperative] to imagine what will happen in a particular situation
Say you get $2,000 for the car – you'll still need another thousand.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
7
[transitive] to use something as a possible example
Why don't we have a break until, let's say, 10:45?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
8
[transitive] informal to tell someone to do something
say to do something:
Mom said to do the dishes.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say

phrases

someone can't say (something)
spoken
1. 1
  a polite way of saying that you do not know something
  We can't say when the train will arrive.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
2. 2
  a polite way of saying that you do not want to give information to someone
  We can't say what's in the report – it's highly confidential.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
3. 3
  used for saying that you do not have a particular opinion
  I can't say I blame you for being annoyed.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
can't say fairer than that
British informal
used for saying that an offer is the best that can be expected
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
go without saying (that)
to be completely obvious or true
It goes without saying that I'm sorry.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
have something to say to someone/about something
to be angry with someone or about something
"Uh-oh," said Jimmy. "Mom's going to have something to say to you."
The boss will have something to say about this.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
have something/a lot/nothing etc. to say for yourself
to be fairly/very/not at all willing to talk, especially about yourself and your reasons for doing something
He didn't have a lot to say for himself.
She's always got far too much to say for herself.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
having said that
spoken
used for adding an opinion that seems to be the opposite of what you have just said, although you think both are true
It's expensive. Having said that, I must admit that it is very well made.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
if I may say (so)
mainly British spoken formal
used for introducing a personal comment when you know that the person you are speaking to may find this offensive
I think, if I may say so, that this isn't the right thing to do.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
I must say (that)
or I have to say (that) spoken
used for emphasizing a statement
I'm not very impressed, I have to say.
I have to say that the food was abysmal.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
I wouldn't say no (to something)
spoken
used for admitting that you would like something, especially something that has been offered to you
I wouldn't say no to another piece of cake.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
I'll say
old-fashioned
used for expressing agreement, or for saying yes in a very definite way
"She's very pretty." "I'll say!"
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
(just) say the word
spoken
used for telling someone that you are ready to do something for them as soon as they ask
We can go whenever you like. Just say the word.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
not to say
used for adding a description that emphasizes the one that you have just used
It would be a foolish, not to say ruinous, step to take at this time.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
say it all
used for saying that something shows very clearly what someone's feelings are or what a particular situation is really like
The look of satisfaction on his face says it all.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
say a lot/very little etc. for
to show that someone or something has a lot/very little, etc. of a particular quality
It says a lot for him that he never gave up.
It doesn't say much for my powers of observation that I had no idea what was going on.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
say no more
spoken
used for saying that you understand the hidden meaning of something and do not need any more details
"She's invited Carl to her party." "Say no more!"
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
say this/that for someone
used for admitting that someone who you do not approve of has a good quality
I'll say this for her: she's never lied to me.
He's very smart: you have to say that for him.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
say something to yourself
to have something in your mind, especially something that you are trying to make yourself believe is true
"This is the real thing," he said to himself.
say something to yourself (that): say to yourself (that):
I keep saying to myself that I shouldn't do it.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
say what?
American spoken
used for asking someone to repeat what they have said, especially when you are surprised by it
"They're going out together now." "Say what?"
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
say what you like (about)
spoken
used for mentioning a good quality of someone or something that is not liked or approved of by other people
Say what you like about him, he knows how to run a business.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
say when
spoken
used for telling someone to tell you when you have given them enough of something, especially food or drink
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
say your piece
to say what you really think about something
Right, I've said my piece, so now you know what I think.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
shall I/we say
spoken formal
used for making a statement or criticism seem less severe or offensive
His loyalty to that man is, shall we say, misguided.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
that is to say
formal
used for explaining something that you have just said in a more exact way
I'll deal with the second point first, that is to say the change to the club's rules.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
that said
spoken
used for adding an opinion that seems to be the opposite of what you have just said, although you think both are true
The economy is struggling. That said, house prices rose slightly last month.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
that's/it's easier said than done
used for telling someone that what they are advising you to do is not easy to achieve
He told me not to worry, but that's easier said than done.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
that's not saying much
used for emphasizing that something is not very unusual, surprising, or impressive
It's better than the old one, but that's not saying much.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
that's not to say (that)
used for adding a statement that corrects what you have just said or makes it less definite
So far, no one's been sacked, but that's not to say it won't happen.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
there's something/a lot/not much etc. to be said for something
used for saying that there are some/many/few etc. advantages in doing something
There's something to be said for his approach to the problem.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
though/if I say it myself
or though/if I say so myself
used when you do not want to seem too proud of your own ability or achievement
Although I say it myself, I think I'm rather good at this.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
to say the least
used for saying that you could have expressed something in a much stronger way
I found the flight uncomfortable, to say the least.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
to say nothing of
used for adding extra information to what you have just said
Pollution affects the soil, to say nothing of its impact on wildlife.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
what do you say I/we do something?
spoken
used for making a suggestion
What do you say we find ourselves an apartment together?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
what have you got to say for yourself?
spoken
used for asking someone what explanation or excuse they have for their bad behavior
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
what someone says goes
used for emphasizing that a particular person has the power to decide what happens in a situation
Around here, what he says goes.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
what would someone say to something?
spoken
used for asking whether someone would accept a suggestion
What would you say to a nice long vacation?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
when all is said and done
mainly spoken
when you consider the whole of a situation, and not just one aspect of it
When all was said and done it was only a game, not real life.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
who can say?
spoken
used for saying that no one knows the answer to a particular question or knows what will happen in the future
Who can say what will happen to the company?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
who says?
spoken
used for expressing disagreement with a statement, opinion, etc.
"But you won't get the job anyway." "Who says I won't?"
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
who's/what's to say (that)?
spoken
used for saying that something is not certain because no one knows exactly what has happened or what is going to happen
Who's to say he wouldn't have said yes if he'd known?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
you can say that again
spoken
used for expressing strong agreement with what someone has said
"This is so boring!" "You can say that again!"
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
you don't say
spoken
1. 1
  used for saying that you are surprised by what someone has told you
  "He's just won the lottery." "You don't say!"
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
2. 2
  used for saying that you are not surprised by what someone has told you
  "He phoned in sick again this morning." "You don't say!"
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
you said it
spoken
1. 1
  used for agreeing with what someone has said although you would not have said it yourself, especially when they admit they have done something bad or wrong
  "I've made a terrible mess of this." "You said it."
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say
2. 2
  American used for agreeing with a suggestion that someone has made
  "Why don't we have something to eat first?" "You said it!"
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of say

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say

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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)

or I have to say (that) spoken

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

or though/if I say so 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

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never event