say meaning and definition

SAY noun

Definition of say (noun)

1. the chance to speak
   • "let him have his say"

SAY verb

Definition of say (verb)

1. express in words
   • "He said that he wanted to marry her"; "tell me what is bothering you"; "state your opinion"; "state your name"
   • synonyms: state, tell
2. report or maintain
   • "He alleged that he was the victim of a crime"; "He said it was too late to intervene in the war"; "The registrar says that I owe the school money"
   • synonyms: allege, aver
3. express a supposition
   • "Let us say that he did not tell the truth"; "Let's say you had a lot of money--what would you do?"
   • synonyms: suppose
4. have or contain a certain wording or form
   • "The passage reads as follows"; "What does the law say?"
   • synonyms: read
5. give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
   • "I said to him to go home"; "She ordered him to do the shopping"; "The mother told the child to get dressed"
   • synonyms: enjoin, order, tell
6. speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way
   • "She pronounces French words in a funny way"; "I cannot say `zip wire'"; "Can the child sound out this complicated word?"
   • synonyms: articulate, enounce, enunciate, pronounce, sound out
7. communicate or express nonverbally
   • "What does this painting say?"; "Did his face say anything about how he felt?"
8. utter aloud
   • "She said `Hello' to everyone in the office"
9. state as one's opinion or judgement; declare
   • "I say let's forget this whole business"
10. recite or repeat a fixed text
    • "Say grace"; "She said her `Hail Mary'"
11. indicate
    • "The clock says noon"