# say

/ˈseɪ/ (US) · /sˈeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/say
Updated: 2026-07-09

## Senses

### 1. to speak words

verb · CEFR A1

to use your voice to express thoughts, opinions, or information.

For teachers: to utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, a feeling, or an intention.

- I forgot to say thank you for the lovely gift you sent me.
- The witness was asked to say exactly what she saw during the minutes leading up to the accident.

Usage: Often followed by a 'that' clause or direct speech.

Teaching tip: Remind students that 'say' focuses on the message, while 'tell' focuses on the recipient.

### 2. to show in writing

verb · CEFR A2

to give information in a written form, like a sign or a book.

For teachers: to indicate or communicate information through written or printed text.

- The sign says that the museum is closed on Mondays.
- The instructions clearly say that the device must be fully charged before its first use.

Usage: Commonly used with inanimate subjects like 'the sign' or 'the clock'.

### 3. to suppose

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to imagine or assume something is true for a moment.

For teachers: to assume or suppose something as a basis for argument or suggestion.

- Let's say you win the lottery; what would you buy first?
- Say we decide to move the headquarters to London; how would that affect our current tax liabilities?

Usage: Often used in the imperative form to introduce a hypothetical scenario.

### 4. right to decide

noun · CEFR B1

the right or power to influence a decision.

For teachers: the opportunity to express a view or the power to influence a final decision.

- Employees want to have a say in how the company is run.
- Although the board members debated the proposal for hours, the CEO ultimately had the final say on the matter.

Usage: Usually appears in the phrase 'to have a say' or 'to have the final say'.

### 5. for example

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

used to suggest an example or an approximate number.

For teachers: used to introduce an example or an approximate amount; functions as a sentence adverb.

- We could meet at a café, say at three o'clock?
- If you were to invest a small amount, say five hundred dollars, the potential returns could still be significant.

Usage: Typically placed before the noun or phrase it modifies.

### 6. getting attention

interjection · CEFR B2 · American English · Informal

a word used to get someone's attention before asking a question.

For teachers: an exclamation used to attract attention or express surprise.

- Say, have you seen my car keys anywhere?
- Say, that is a remarkable piece of architecture across the street.

Usage: Used at the beginning of a sentence.

Teaching tip: This is quite old-fashioned or specific to certain American dialects; students might hear it in older films.

## Examples

- What did you say to him?
- The doctor didn't say much about the test results, but she told me not to worry.
- It is difficult to say with any certainty how the market will react to the news, though analysts suggest that a period of volatility is likely.

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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.