🗣️ To speak 🪧 To show information 👀 To show without words 💭 To suppose 🗳️ An opinion

to say

∞ 5.1

Show feelings or ideas without words, for example by a look

verb
/seɪ/

: decir

And I hear her say, honey, don't wear your hoodie.

There's something about you that is just saying no to me.

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Examples

There's something about you that is just saying no to me.

Jubilee
But their eyes were saying, could you please go somewhere else with this question?
Your face says it all.

Back to Black (2024)
But the time has come to say yes, it can be that simple.

Academic text (1999)
If you can't say it clearly now, keep working on it.
And my body has really been saying it's it, it just doesn't feel healthy.

Matthew Hussey
When we say we're moved by work of art, or that we're inspired by work of art, we often find it hard to put that in words.
They say the fake stuff has chemicals in it, and I'm not putting that in my body.

Dirty Dishes (2022)
I just called my mom's hotel, and they're saying that she never checked in.

Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
The artist wanted to say more through his painting than words ever could.

Synonyms

to express

vsto say

∞ 2.3

To show ideas and feelings by words or actions

limits communication to nonverbal means, excluding spoken or written words

to express feelings

vsto say

38 3.4

Show or say your emotions to other people

focuses only on nonverbal expression without speech or writing

to speak volumes

vsto say

Informal

31 5.7

To show a lot without using words

is broader, covers nonverbal communication beyond strong silent signals

to mouth the words

vsto say

6 6.9

To move your lips to form words without making any sound

uses other silent methods like gestures or art, not lip movement

to mime

vsto say

5 5.6

To show an action using gestures and no words

is wider, includes other nonverbal forms like art or facial cues

to gesticulate

vsto say

5 7.6

Move hands or arms when speaking to show an idea

focuses on nonverbal signs alone rather than gestures used with speech

to express emotion

vsto say

2 3.4

Show your feelings with words, actions, or your face

emphasizes conveying feeling without words or spoken phrases

Antonyms

to speak

∞ 1.0

To talk with someone to share thoughts or feelings

to verbalize

9 4.8

To put thoughts or feelings into words

Idioms

say what

Informal

68 9.8

A short phrase showing surprise and not believing what someone said

to say the least

Informal

66 4.2

Shows that something is much worse than it seems

to I dare say

43 6.5

Said, often politely, to show you think something is likely to be true

that is to say

37 3.5

To say something more clearly

to say it all

Informal

37 4.6

To show feelings or meaning without words

wouldn't you say

31 6.2

Asking someone if they agree with what you said

as we say

23 5.6

To show that a phrase is not meant exactly but is a common way to say something

to say cheese

Informal

18 4.6

To ask people to smile for a photo

if you say so

Informal

15 7.7

Accept what someone says while showing doubt or little interest

to say nothing of

6 6.1

To mention an extra fact that makes the situation seem more surprising or serious

say no more

Informal

5 4.1

To tell someone you understand and will do what they want without more explanation

easy for you to say

Informal

3 9.1

Saying advice is easy when you are not in the same situation

I dare say

3 7.7

Said when you doubt what someone says, often ironically

to say no more

Informal

3 4.9

To stop talking because more words are not needed or would not be right

to say uncle

Informal

2 8.9

To give up because of pressure or pain

to say less and mean more

1 7.9

To show a strong idea with very few words

to say the quiet part loud

1 9.1

To openly say something people usually keep secret

before you can say knife

9.9

It happens very quickly

can't say fairer than that

9.9

An offer that is as fair as possible and cannot be better

let's not and say we did

Informal

9.9

To refuse something by joking that you already did it

to say you swear

Informal

8.5

Ask someone to promise they are telling the truth or will keep a secret

the hell you say

Informal

9.9

A strong spoken reaction showing surprise and disbelief

Phrasal Verbs

to say goodbye

562 1.0

To tell someone you are leaving and wish them well

to just say

Informal

412 6.5

Ask someone to tell you when they have enough or want more

to say again

89 1.6

Repeat what you just said so others can hear or understand

to say that again

Informal

52 4.2

Ask someone to repeat what they just said or agree strongly with a comment

to have a say

46 3.1

To be able to give an opinion and influence a decision

to say grace

35 5.5

To say a short prayer of thanks before a meal

to say when

22 7.4

Tell the person who is pouring when to stop

to say farewell

Formal

12 3.8

To tell someone goodbye before you leave, often in a formal or sad way

to say hooroo

Australian

9.9

To say goodbye to someone in a friendly, informal way

to say less and listen

Informal

7.5

To speak less and pay attention to other people's words

Compounds

say-so

87 5.6

Permission that a person in charge gives to do something

final say

14 4.0

The power to make the last decision in a matter

Say Hey Kid

3 9.4

A friendly nickname people use for baseball player Willie Mays

never-say-die

Informal

2 7.4

A person who shows strong hope and refuses to give up

How Clearly

to say

∞ 5.1

to express

∞ 2.3

to signal

141 3.0

to indicate

834 2.7

gesture

140 2.3

Surface Forms

say infinitive

saying present participle

says third person singular

said past

said past participle

Etymology

Say comes from the old English secgan meaning 'to tell', and we use it when something shows an idea without words, as when a look or a picture 'says' how someone feels.