# aye

/ˈaɪ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Interjection

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aye
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a word used to say 'yes'. You might hear it in old movies about sailors or in some parts of the UK like Scotland.

For teachers: an affirmative response or vote, signifying agreement or assent. Primarily used in nautical contexts, formal parliamentary procedure, or specific regional dialects such as Scots and Northern English.

## Examples

- Aye, captain, I will finish the job now.
- When the speaker called for a vote on the new amendment, a chorus of 'aye' rang out from the benches.
- The old sailor simply nodded and muttered 'aye' before turning back to the dark horizon, his silent agreement more binding than any written contract.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I will aye to that" but "I say aye to that" — While it means 'yes', it is an interjection or noun, not a verb; you cannot 'aye' something.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the phrase 'aye, aye' to acknowledge a command in naval contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.