say the word Definition

say
verb says, said, saying

1. To speak, utter or articulate.

Example: He said he would come
Thesaurus: tell, speak, recite, state, utter, declare, remark, express, disclose, pronounce, articulate.
2. To express in words.

Example: Say what you mean
3. To assert or declare; to state as an opinion.

Example: I say we should give it a try
Thesaurus: allege, claim, hold, maintain, assert, imply.
4. To suppose

Example: Say he doesn't come, what do we do then?
5. To recite or repeat.

Example: say your prayers
Example: say a blessing
6. To judge or decide.

Example: It's difficult to say which is best
7. To convey information; to communicate

Example: She talked for ages but didn't actually say much
Example: What is the artist trying to say here?
8. To indicate.

Example: The clock says 10 o'clock
Example: The forecast says it'll be sunny today
9. To report or claim.

Example: Elvis Presley is said by some to be still alive
tr & intr
10. To make a statement; to tell.

Example: I'd rather not say

noun

1. A chance to express an opinion.

Example: You've had your say
2. The right to an opinion; the power to influence a decision.

Example: to have no say in the matter
Example: She will have a lot of say in the decision
Thesaurus: voice, vote, authority, influence, power, clout.

exclamation

1. An expression of surprise, protest or sudden joy.
2. A way of attracting attention.

Derivative: sayer
noun

Idiom: I say!

(specially Brit)
An exclamation used for attracting attention, or expressing surprise, protest or sudden joy.

Idiom: I'll say!

colloq
An expression of wholehearted agreement.

Idiom: it goes without saying

It is obvious.

Idiom: it is said (they say)

It is commonly reputed or believed.
Example: They say that he killed his wife
Example: It is said to be a fake

Idiom: it etc says

colloq
The text runs.
Example: The paper says that it will rain tomorrow

Idiom: not to say

Indeed; one might even go further and say.
Example: Train fares are expensive, not to say extortionate

Idiom: nothing to say for oneself

Unable to defend oneself or to justify one's actions.

Only engaging in small talk.

Idiom: say the word

Give the signal or go-ahead.
Example: If you want me to go to the doctor with you, just say the word

Idiom: says you!

colloq
Expressing incredulity or disbelief.

Idiom: that is to say

In other words.

Idiom: there's no saying

It is impossible to guess or judge.
Example: There's no saying how long she'll take to recover

Idiom: to say nothing of something

Not to mention it.
Example: He wastes all his money on alcohol, to say nothing of all those cigarettes

Idiom: to say the least

At least; without exaggeration.
Example: She is, to say the least, a rather irresponsible person

Idiom: what do you say to?

Would you like? how about?
Example: What do you say to a mug of hot chocolate?

Idiom: You can say that again!

colloq
You are absolutely right! I agree wholeheartedly!
Example: ‘He is such a scandalmonger!' ‘You can say that again!'

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon secgan.

Phrasal Verb: say for or against something

To argue in favour of or against it.
Example: There's a lot to be said for doing it yourself

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word
noun

1. The smallest unit of spoken or written language that can be used independently, usually separated off by spaces in writing and printing.

Thesaurus: expression, form, name, term, designation, concept, lexical form, definiendum.
2. A brief conversation on a particular matter.
3. Any brief statement, message or communication.

Example: a word of caution
4. News or notice.

Example: any word of Jane?
Example: She sent word she'd arrive tomorrow
Thesaurus: report, news, information, tidings, message, announcement, account, advice, intelligence.
5. A rumour.

Example: The word is he's bankrupt
Thesaurus: information, knowledge, truth, the facts, the lowdown (slang).
6. One's solemn promise.

Thesaurus: promise, pledge, declaration, commitment, word of honour.
7. An order.

Example: expects her word to be obeyed
8. A word given as a signal for action.

Example: Wait till I give the word
9. What someone says or said.

Example: remembered her mother's words
10. Language as a means of communication.

Example: impossible to convey in words
Form: words
11. An argument or heated discussion; verbal contention.

Example: We had words when he returned
Thesaurus: dispute, argument, contention, wrangle, quarrel, tiff.
Form: words
12. Discussion in contrast to action.

Example: Words alone will get us nowhere
Thesaurus: conversation, discussion, chat, communication.
Form: words
13a. The lyrics of a song, etc;

Form: words
13b. The speeches an actor must learn for a particular part.

Form: words
14. Christianity.
The teachings contained in the Bible.
Form: the Word
15. A watchword.

Example: mum's the word
16a. computing.
A group of bits or bytes that can be processed as a single unit by a computer, the size of a word varying according to the size of the computer;
16b. computing.
In word processing: any group of characters separated from other such groups by spaces or punctuation, whether or not it is a real word.
17. Used after a letter and preceded by the (sense 4a) indicating something unmentionable or taboo beginning with that letter the m-word (for ‘marriage') the c-word (for ‘cancer').

verb

worded, wording
1. To express something in carefully chosen words.

Thesaurus: express, say, put in words, write, phrase, explain, couch.

Idiom: a good word

A recommendation, praise, etc.
Example: not a good word to say about anyone
Thesaurus: endorsement, testimonial, recommendation, support, boost, plug (slang).

Idiom: as good as one's word

Careful to keep one's promise.

Idiom: a word in someone's ear

A confidential or private conversation.

Idiom: break one's word

To fail to keep or fulfil one's promise.

Idiom: by word of mouth

See under word of mouth.

Idiom: have a word with someone

To speak with them, usually for a specific reason.

Idiom: have no words for someone or something

To be at a loss to describe or express them or it.

Idiom: have words with someone

colloq
To quarrel with them.
Thesaurus: argue, differ with, bicker, fight, quarrel, disagree.

Idiom: in a word

Briefly; in short.
Thesaurus: briefly, succinctly, in short, in a nutshell, thus, viz.

Idiom: in other words

Saying the same thing in a different way.

Idiom: in so many words

Explicitly; bluntly.

Idiom: my word (upon my word)

An exclamation of surprise.

Idiom: not the word for it

Not a strong enough expression for it.
Example: Stupid isn't the word for it

Idiom: of many words (of few words)

Inclined to be talkative or reserved.

Idiom: put in a good word for someone

To recommend or mention them favourably to someone who could benefit them in some way.

Idiom: put words into someone's mouth

To attribute or supply to them words that they did not, or do not intend to, use.

Idiom: say the word

To give one's consent or approval for some action to proceed.

Idiom: take someone at their word

To take their offer or suggestion, etc literally.

Idiom: take someone's word for it

To accept what they say as true, without verification.

Idiom: take the words out of someone's mouth

To say exactly what they were about to say.

Idiom: the last word

The final, especially conclusive, remark or comment in an argument.

The most up-to-date design or model, or most recent advance in something.

The finest example of eg a particular quality, etc.
Example: the last word in good taste

Idiom: too funny for words (too stupid etc for words)

colloq
Exceptionally or extremely funny or stupid, etc.

Idiom: word for word

Said of a statement, etc: repeated in exactly the same words, or translated into exactly corresponding words; verbatim.
Thesaurus: verbatim, exactly, literally, accurately, precisely.

Derivative: word of honour

See separate entry.

Idiom: words fail me

I am unable to express my feelings or reaction.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon.