ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Nay

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /neɪ/ · Part of speech adverb

Quick meaning: Nay is an adverb meaning A vote against.

Meaning

A vote against.

More Meanings

  1. A person who voted against.
  2. (archaic or regional, otherwise humorous) No.
  3. (archaic or regional) Introducing a statement, without direct negation.
  4. (archaic) No.
  5. (archaic) A denial; a refusal.
  6. (obsolete) To refuse.
  7. (archaic, otherwise humorous) Or rather, or should I say; moreover (introducing a stronger and more appropriate expression than the preceding one).

Example Sentences

His face was dirty, nay, filthy.
Nay, what are you smiling at so damnably?
I vote nay, even though the motion is popular, because I would rather be right than popular.
Duke Magnus, Duke Magnus, plight thee to me, I pray you still so freely; Say me not nay, but yes, yes!

Word Forms

Antonyms for nay

Common opposites include aye.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include nope, not, non, umm, chorus, sayer.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.