say

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/seɪ/
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Say denotes the act of expressing something in words, the act of giving an approximate figure, and the noun forms referring to a spoken statement, an example amount, or a familiar proverb.
Practice using say in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • He quoted a say about honesty.
  • That say about time is often misinterpreted.
  • She says she will arrive at noon.
  • After the meeting, his say was brief.
  • He says the project will cost about $2k.

Similar words

adage
reckon
declare
old saying
saying
figure
response
utterance
approximate
estimate

Meanings

Express in words

verb
communication
neutral
To convey a thought, opinion, or information by speaking or writing.

Usage

Use say for expressing a thought, opinion, or information in spoken or written form.

Examples

  • She says she will arrive at noon.
  • I couldn't say what I felt.
  • Say it clearly so everyone understands.
  • He said goodbye before leaving.
  • They say the meeting starts at nine.
  • We will say our thanks at the end.

Common mistakes

Typical errors involve wrong verb forms or confusing the verb with other verbs.
IncorrectCorrect
He say something yesterday. He said something yesterday.
I will say you later. I will tell you later.
She says the price is $5, but I think it says $10. She says the price is $5, but I think it is $10.
Can you say the exact number? Can you give the exact number?

Similar words

state
declare
utter
express
voice

Estimate roughly

verb
estimation
neutral
To give an approximate figure or judgement about a quantity or situation.

Usage

Use say when giving an approximate figure or judgement, especially in informal contexts where precision is not required.

Examples

  • I would say around five minutes.
  • They said roughly a hundred guests attended.
  • We can say it's about half a mile away.
  • He says the project will cost about $2k.
  • She said the temperature is close to 30°C.
  • Experts say the population is near one million.

Common mistakes

Errors often mix up the verb with more precise terms or misuse its form.
IncorrectCorrect
The distance is say ten miles. The distance is about ten miles.
He say the cost will be $100. He said the cost will be $100.
Can you say how many people came? Can you estimate how many people came?
She says the time is exactly 3 pm. She says the time is around 3 pm.

Similar words

estimate
approximate
guess
reckon
figure

A spoken statement

noun
communication
neutral
A brief utterance that conveys an idea or opinion.

Usage

Use say as a noun to refer to a brief spoken statement, often in expressions like 'a few words' or 'a quick say'.

Examples

  • After the meeting, his say was brief.
  • She made a quick say before leaving.
  • The teacher noted each student's say.
  • His say surprised everyone.
  • We recorded every say during the interview.
  • A single say can change the mood.

Common mistakes

Mistakes usually involve using the noun form as a verb or confusing it with the estimation sense.
IncorrectCorrect
Give me a say about the plan. Give me a statement about the plan.
His say was very clear. His remark was very clear.
I didn't understand his say. I didn't understand his comment.
The say of the witness was recorded. The testimony of the witness was recorded.

Similar words

remark
utterance
statement
comment
note
response

A proverb or maxim

noun
everyday
neutral
A short, commonly known expression that conveys a general truth.

Usage

Use say as a noun meaning a familiar proverb or maxim, often introduced with 'old' or 'common'.

Examples

  • The old say 'practice makes perfect' is still relevant.
  • He quoted a say about honesty.
  • Children learn many says from their parents.
  • That say about time is often misinterpreted.
  • She wrote the say on the wall for inspiration.
  • We discussed the meaning of that ancient say.

Common mistakes

Errors typically mix the proverb sense with the verb or spoken‑statement sense.
IncorrectCorrect
He always repeats the same say. He always repeats the same saying.
That old say is not true. That old saying is not true.
She gave me a say about patience. She gave me a proverb about patience.
I love that say from my grandmother. I love that saying from my grandmother.

Similar words

adage
maxim
proverb
aphorism
saying
old saying

Usage

Use say for expressing thoughts, giving rough estimates, referring to brief spoken statements, or naming familiar proverbs, choosing the sense that matches the context.

Common mistakes

The third‑person -s is dropped, giving he say for he says.

Etymology

FAQ

What does say mean as a verb?

Say means to express a thought, opinion, or information in spoken or written form.

How do I use say when giving an estimate?

Use say to give an approximate figure, e.g., I would say around five minutes.

Can say be a noun?

Yes, say can be a noun meaning a brief spoken statement or a familiar proverb.

What is the difference between say and state?

Say is more general and informal, while state often implies a formal or precise declaration.

Is it correct to say He say?

No, the correct third‑person form is He says.

What are common synonyms for say?

Synonyms include state, declare, utter, express, mention, voice.

Does say have any opposite words?

Opposites include listen and silence when referring to the act of speaking.

Where does the word say come from?

The origin of say is not clearly documented in the provided sources.

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