English Profile

say · verb T

/seɪ/Full view

say (SPEAK)

A1 to speak words

Dictionary examples:

"I'd like to go home," she said.

How do you say this word?

She said goodbye to all her friends and left.

"How do you say 'goodbye' in French?"

I couldn't hear what they were saying.

Do you know what she said to him?

I've got something to say to you.

Learner example:

When I['m] speaking in class, I'm very nervous and I can't say anything. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

say (TELL)

B1 to tell someone about a fact, thought, or opinion

Dictionary examples:

Did she say where she was going?

Officials refused to say what had happened.

What did they say about the house?

The doctors say (that) it will take him a few weeks to recover.

She didn't say whether she was coming or not.

"Who do you think will get the job?" "I'd rather not say."

What are you saying, exactly ?

Learner example:

Dear Mary, You asked me in your last letter about my bedroom. There aren't a lot of things to say about it, it is quite small but nice. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

say (GIVE INFORMATION)

B1 to give information in writing, numbers or signs

Dictionary examples:

My watch says 3 o'clock.

Can you read what that notice says?

It says in the paper (that) they've found the man who did it.

It says on the bottle to take the medicine three times a day.

Learner example:

Well yesterday I was reading a new fashion magazine. It says that this summer the best clothes to wear are skirts with different colors! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

say (THINK)

B1 to think or believe

Dictionary examples:

People/They say (that) he's over 100.

"It's going to be a very hot summer." "So they say ."

She is a firm leader, too firm, some might say.

Learner example:

People say that it never rains here. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Catalan)

be said to be

B2 used to show that many people believe something about something

Dictionary example:

Drinking plenty of water is said to be good for your skin.

Learner example:

On our way around the lake we would have [the] possibility of visiting a huge medieval castle which is said to be haunted. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

it goes without saying

B2 If something goes without saying, it is obvious or generally accepted.

Dictionary example:

It goes without saying that you should arrive on time.

Learner example:

It goes without saying that I will participate! (First Certificate in English; B2; Dutch)

say sth to yourself

C1 to think something but not speak

Dictionary example:

"I hope she likes me," he said to himself.

Learner example:

I remember saying to myself that "this little boy will survive" and after that I felt totally cool and calm and did what had to be done. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

like I said

C1 used to remind someone that you said this earlier

Dictionary example:

Like I said, I’m not interested in buying insurance at the moment.

Learner example:

I wonder if it's not too late for my own little munchkins. Like I said, they already love to SHOP! (International English Language Testing System; C1; Tagalog)

sad to say

C1 used to say that it is unfortunate or embarrassing that something is true

Dictionary examples:

Sad to say, the violin was never found.

Yes, sad to say, I've seen the movie fifteen times.

Learner example:

Sad to say, there are many points in your report we do not agree with, as pointed [out] by my friend Maria Jones as well. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Catalan)

to say the least

C1 used to emphasize that you could have said something in a much stronger way

Dictionary example:

We were surprised, to say the least.

Learner example:

You get slightly bored, to say the least. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

needless to say

C1 as you would expect

Dictionary example:

Needless to say, it rained the whole time we were there.

Learner example:

Needless to say, bribes are a frequent occur[r]ence. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Polish)

easier said than done

C1 used to say that something seems like a good idea but it would be difficult to do

Dictionary example:

I want to ask her out, but it's easier said than done.

Learner example:

I know it's easier said than done but you have to try. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

safe to say

C1 If it is safe to say something, you are sure it is correct.

Dictionary example:

I think it's safe to say that he'll be the next president.

Learner example:

It is probably safe to say that there are no good books about engineering written in Portuguese so my teachers always use books written in English. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)

to say nothing of sth

C2 used to emphasize other problems you have not talked about

Dictionary example:

Most wild otters have disappeared from populated areas, to say nothing of wilderness areas.

Learner example:

Indeed would not it be an oversimplification to make one's judgement of the country's national character on the grounds of the amount and the quality of food people eat, to say nothing of the fact that this judgement is usually highly subjective? (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)