First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1nay
adverb \ˈnā\
—used to correct what you have said by replacing a word with one that is more accurate or appropriate
Full Definition of NAY
: no
See nay defined for English-language learners
See nay defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of NAY
Rhymes with NAY
a, ae, bay, bey, blae, brae, bray, chez, clay, Cray, day, dey, dray, eh, fay, fey, flay, fley, frae, fray, Frey, gay, Gay, gey, gley, gray, hay, he, hey, Hue, j, jay, Jay, k, kay, Kay, lay, lei, may, né, née, neigh, Ney, pay, pe, play, pray, prey, qua, quai, quay, Rae, ray, re, say, shay, slay, sleigh, spae, spay, Spey, splay, spray, stay, stray, sway, Tay, they, tray, trey, way, weigh, whey, yea
2nay
noun
: a no vote
Full Definition of NAY
2
a : a negative reply or vote b : one who votes no
See nay defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of NAY
14th century
3nay
conjunction
Definition of NAY
: not merely this but also : not only so but <the letter made him happy, nay, ecstatic>
First Known Use of NAY
1560
NAY Defined for Kids
1nay
adverb \ˈnā\
Definition of NAY for Kids
: 1no 2 <Are you coming? Nay, I'm not.>
2nay
noun
plural nays
Learn More About NAY
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up nay? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).