saying 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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saying
noun

1. A proverb or maxim.

Thesaurus: maxim, proverb, aphorism, adage, motto.
2. An expression.

Example: Family sayings can be meaningless to outsiders
Thesaurus: utterance, statement, declaration, communication, collocation.

Etymology: 13c.