1 say
Pronounced:
/ˈseɪ/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
says /ˈsɛz/ said /ˈsɛd/ say·ing /ˈsejɪŋ/ Meaning:
1 : to use your voice to express (something) with words [+ obj] ▪ “Is anybody there?” he said. ▪ “Good morning,” said the woman behind the counter. ▪ I said three words before he interrupted me again. ▪ I just stopped by to say hello. ▪ He left without saying goodbye. ▪ I wanted to say thank you for all you've done for me. ▪ She said something about going to the store after work. ▪ He said something in French. ▪ 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? ▪ Did she say how to get there? ▪ I said to myself, “I can do it.” ▪ He said (that) he was a doctor. ▪ I can honestly say (that) I had never seen that man before today. ▪ I already said (that) I was sorry. ▪ You know what they say, “If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.” ▪ 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. ▪ “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 obj] ▪ “What happened next?” “I'd rather not say.”
2 [+ obj] : 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?” ▪ I say you're wrong. [=my opinion is that you're wrong] ▪ I wouldn't say (that) he's a great guitarist [=I don't think he's a great guitarist]; he's just OK. ▪ 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] ▪ New England is said to be [=many people think New England is] very beautiful in the Fall. ▪ “Is the island nice?” “So they/people say.” ▪ 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. ▪ I'm not saying we shouldn't buy the car. All I'm saying is that we should think about it some more. ▪ I didn't really enjoy the movie, but that's not to say it was bad. ▪ Say what you like (about it), I thought it was a good movie. ▪ Seeing your reaction, I would say that you're jealous that he has a new girlfriend. ▪ The dress seems too fancy for the party, wouldn't you say? [=don't you agree?; do you think the same thing?] ▪ I'll say this for him—he's very generous with his money. ▪ “She's a great singer!” “If you say so.”
3 : to express (a fact) with certainty [+ obj] ▪ No one can say for sure whether it will happen. ▪ It is hard to say what caused the injury. ▪ There's no saying [=it is impossible to know] how many people died in the earthquake. [no obj] ▪ “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) [+ obj] ▪ I said leave me alone! ▪ “Why do we have to go?” “Because your father and I said so.” ▪ Mom said to wait here. ▪ She's the boss. What she says goes! [=you have to do what she tells you to do] ▪ “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 obj] ▪ Don't start until I say (so/to).
5 [+ obj] : to pronounce (a word) ▪ How do you say your name?
6 [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] : to use written words to give (information) ▪ What does the card say? ▪ Does the article say how the fire happened? ▪ The letter says that I've been accepted to the college. ▪ It says here that there will be a special guest at the concert. ▪ The instructions say to add two eggs.
8 [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] : to express (a meaning, emotion, etc.) without using words ▪ She likes art that really says something. ▪ 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? ▪ We could leave on any day—say on Monday. ▪ 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]
2 [+ obj] : 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?” ▪ I say you're wrong. [=my opinion is that you're wrong] ▪ I wouldn't say (that) he's a great guitarist [=I don't think he's a great guitarist]; he's just OK. ▪ 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] ▪ New England is said to be [=many people think New England is] very beautiful in the Fall. ▪ “Is the island nice?” “So they/people say.” ▪ 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. ▪ I'm not saying we shouldn't buy the car. All I'm saying is that we should think about it some more. ▪ I didn't really enjoy the movie, but that's not to say it was bad. ▪ Say what you like (about it), I thought it was a good movie. ▪ Seeing your reaction, I would say that you're jealous that he has a new girlfriend. ▪ The dress seems too fancy for the party, wouldn't you say? [=don't you agree?; do you think the same thing?] ▪ I'll say this for him—he's very generous with his money. ▪ “She's a great singer!” “If you say so.”
3 : to express (a fact) with certainty [+ obj] ▪ No one can say for sure whether it will happen. ▪ It is hard to say what caused the injury. ▪ There's no saying [=it is impossible to know] how many people died in the earthquake. [no obj] ▪ “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) [+ obj] ▪ I said leave me alone! ▪ “Why do we have to go?” “Because your father and I said so.” ▪ Mom said to wait here. ▪ She's the boss. What she says goes! [=you have to do what she tells you to do] ▪ “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 obj] ▪ Don't start until I say (so/to).
5 [+ obj] : to pronounce (a word) ▪ How do you say your name?
6 [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] : to use written words to give (information) ▪ What does the card say? ▪ Does the article say how the fire happened? ▪ The letter says that I've been accepted to the college. ▪ It says here that there will be a special guest at the concert. ▪ The instructions say to add two eggs.
8 [+ obj] : 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 [+ obj] : to express (a meaning, emotion, etc.) without using words ▪ She likes art that really says something. ▪ 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? ▪ We could leave on any day—say on Monday. ▪ 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
Brit 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 —see 3enough
fair to say —see 1fair
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 —see hasten
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]
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 —see 1dare
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 —see hear
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
Brit 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?
2 —used to attract the attention of someone ▪ I say (there). Can you help me?
needless to say —see needless
never say die —see 1die
never say never —see 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 —see cheese
say no
: to say that you will not accept or agree to something ▪ We requested more time, but she said no. [=she refused to allow us to have more time] —often + to ▪ 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 —see 1word
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 —see 1piece
suffice (it) to say —see suffice
that is to say —see 1that
that said —see having said that (above)
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 —see 2least
when all is said and done —see 3all
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 ▪ “She ran off with another man.” “You don't say!” —often used ironically to show that you are not at all surprised by something ▪ “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.”