Meaning of say In English

• 0 to pronounce words or sounds, to express a thought, opinion, or suggestion, or to state a fact or instruction:

  • Small children find it difficult to say long words.

  • She said goodbye to all her friends and left.

  • Ben never forgets to say "Please" and "Thank you".

  • How do you say "goodbye" in French?

  • I'm sorry, what did you say?

  • Do you know what she said to him?

  • What did they say about the house?

  • [ + speech ] "I'm going out this evening," she said.

  • He said to himself (= thought), "This will never work."

  • [ + (that) ] The doctors say (that) it will take him a few weeks to recover.

  • [ + question word ] She didn't say whether she was coming.

  • Did she say (= tell you) why she wasn't coming?

  • [ + to infinitive ] informal He said (= told me) to meet him here.

  • I've got something to say to you.

  • The offer was so good that I couldn't say no (= couldn't refuse).

• 1 to think or believe:

  • [ + (that) ] People/They say (that) he's over 100.

  • "It's going to be a very hot summer." "So they say (= that is what people believe)."

  • She is a firm leader, too firm, some might say (= some people believe that she is too firm).

  • "Who do you think will get the job?" "I'd rather not say."

  • What are you saying, exactly? (= What do you mean?)

  • [ + (that) ] We've been driving all day - I say (that) we start looking for a motel now.

  • informal What do you say we sell the car? (= What do you think about selling it?)

  • [ + (that) ] The look on his face said (= showed) (that) he knew what had happened.

  • [ + (that) ] It is said (that) Latin is a difficult language to learn.

  • [ + to be + noun/adj ] He's said to be over 100.

• 2 to give information in writing, numbers, or signs:

  • My watch says three o'clock.

  • Can you read what that sign says?

  • [ + (that) ] It says in the paper (that) they've found the man who did it.

  • [ + to infinitive ] It says on the bottle to take three tabletsa day.

• 3 used to express surprise or pleasure, or to attract attention to what you are about to say:

  • US Say, that's really good of you!

  • US Say, how about going out tonight?

  • UK I say, what a splendid hat you're wearing!

• 4 (the right to give) an opinion about something:

  • Keep quiet for a minute and let me have my say.

  • The judge usually has the final say.

• 5 to speak or pronounce words:

  • How do you say your name?

  • The child could say her ABCs when she was still a baby.

• 6 to express something in words, or to tell someone something:

  • [ T ] What did you say to him?

  • [ I ] Mom said to meet her in front of the building.

  • [ T ] What do you think the artist said in this painting?

• 7 to state an opinion:

  • [ + (that) clause ] If they’re late, I say (that) we go without them.

  • [ + (that) clause ] Let’s say (that) you are a planner and that you think far ahead.

• 8 to provide information or instructions in writing:

  • [ T ] What does that sign say?

• 9 the right or opportunity to give your opinion or be involved in making decisions:

  • I have no say in hiring and firing.