# yea

/ˈjeɪ/ (US) · /jˈeɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yea
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a 'yes' vote

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a vote in favour of something, usually in a formal meeting.

For teachers: an affirmative vote, typically cast in a legislative or formal deliberative assembly.

- The final count was fifty yeas and only ten nays.
- After a heated debate, the speaker called for a voice vote, and the yeas clearly carried the motion.

Usage: Often paired with its opposite, 'nay'.

### 2. yes or indeed

adverb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

an old word for 'yes' or 'truly'.

For teachers: an archaic affirmative adverb used to express agreement or to emphasize a statement.

- Yea, it is exactly as you described it.
- The ancient text began with the words, 'Yea, the king did decree that all should gather at the gates.'

Teaching tip: In modern English, this is almost exclusively found in religious texts or historical literature.

### 3. this much

adverb · CEFR C2 · American English · Dialect · Informal

used with a hand gesture to show how big or small something is.

For teachers: a deictic adverb used to indicate size or extent, usually accompanied by a physical gesture.

- The fish he caught was about yea big.
- He held his hands apart to show that the gap was only yea wide, barely enough for a person to squeeze through.

Usage: Almost always precedes an adjective like 'big', 'high', or 'long'.

Teaching tip: This is a specific regional usage; in most contexts, 'this' or 'so' is preferred.

### 4. even more so

conjunction · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

used to introduce a stronger or more specific word than the one before it.

For teachers: used to introduce a more precise or emphatic term than the one previously mentioned.

- It was a difficult, yea, impossible task to finish on time.
- The candidate's performance was impressive, yea, transformative for the party's public image.

Teaching tip: This usage is very rare in speech and is used for dramatic effect in formal writing.

## Examples

- The motion passed with fifty yeas and only ten nays.
- During the final roll call, the senator shouted his yea to ensure his support was recorded in the official transcript.
- The speaker of the house declared that the yeas had it, signaling the successful passage of the controversial amendment despite vocal opposition from the minority party.

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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.