said
Add to wordbook
Sign in to use your wordbook
Save words to your account and review them anywhere.
Explore the roots, pronunciation, meanings, and usage of said.
It is a word without an obvious prefix, root, or suffix, so it cannot be broken down and remembered using the root-based memorization method like other complex vocabulary.
- Meaning 1A1verb (past simple and past participle of say)
spoke or pronounced particular words or sounds
- Meaning 2B1verb (past simple and past participle of say)
expressed or communicated a fact, thought, opinion, or message
- Meaning 3B1verb (past simple and past participle of say)
of writing, signs, numbers, or devices, gave or showed information
- Meaning 4C1adjective (before noun, law and formal)
previously mentioned
Phonetic symbols
/sed/
/sed/
Pronunciation notes
- Said has one syllable.
- The vowel is /e/, not /eɪ/: said rhymes with bed, not made.
- In connected speech, the final /d/ links smoothly to a following vowel, as in said it.
YouGlish
Common collocations
Reusable word combinations for speaking and writing.
- said helloMeaning 1
greeted someone with words
She said hello to the new student.
- said nothingMeaning 1
did not speak or provide information
He said nothing about the argument.
- said yes or noMeaning 1
accepted or refused something verbally
She said yes to the invitation.
- said thatMeaning 2
introduced the content of a reported statement
They said that the problem had been fixed.
- said to himself or herselfMeaning 2
thought something or spoke privately to oneself
He said to himself, "Stay calm."
- the sign saidMeaning 3
introduced information displayed on a sign
The sign said the store was closed.
Grammar patterns
Common frames that show how the word fits into a sentence.
person + said + direct speechMeaning 1Use said to introduce exact words.
Rosa said, "I'll be back soon."
person + said + (that) + clauseMeaning 2Use a clause to report the content of a statement; that is often omitted.
He said he needed more time.
text, sign, or device + said + clause or to-infinitiveMeaning 3Use an inanimate source as the subject when it displays information or instructions.
The notice said that the pool was closed.
the said + nounMeaning 4In legal or very formal English, said appears before the previously mentioned noun.
The said amount is due immediately.
Examples
- Meaning 1A1spoke or pronounced particular words or sounds
"Good morning," Leo said.
Said introduces Leo's exact spoken words.
- Meaning 1A1spoke or pronounced particular words or sounds
She has said hello to everyone.
Said is the past participle after has.
- Meaning 2B1expressed or communicated a fact, thought, opinion, or message
Amir said that the meeting had been canceled.
Said reports information rather than quoting the exact words.
- Meaning 2B1expressed or communicated a fact, thought, opinion, or message
I never said I agreed with the decision.
Said introduces the content of a statement.
- Meaning 3B1of writing, signs, numbers, or devices, gave or showed information
The label said to keep the medicine refrigerated.
The written label gave an instruction.
- Meaning 3B1of writing, signs, numbers, or devices, gave or showed information
The clock said 8:15.
The clock displayed this information.
- Meaning 4C1previously mentioned
The said property must remain vacant until inspection.
Said identifies the property mentioned earlier in a formal text.
Usage notes
- As a verb form, said is extremely common and neutral in both speech and writing.
- Said is both the simple past and the past participle; an auxiliary such as have marks the participle use.
- When the listener is mentioned, use said to someone, not said someone.
- The adjective said normally appears only before a noun and is chiefly used in legal or highly formal writing.
Word family6 items
- sayverb and noun
- to express something in words; also, an opportunity to influence a decision
- sayingnoun
- a familiar phrase that expresses an idea or piece of advice
- unsaidadjective
- understood or felt but not spoken
- hearsaynoun
- information received from other people and not directly verified
- naysayernoun
- someone who says that something will fail or is not worthwhile
- say-sonoun
- a statement without supporting evidence, or authority to make a decision
Common mistakes
He sayed goodbye.
He said goodbye.
Said is the irregular past form of say.
She said me the answer.
She told me the answer.
Say cannot take the listener directly; use told me or said the answer to me.
What did he said?
What did he say?
Use the base form say after did.
Confusing words
- say
- The base form is pronounced /seɪ/; said is its past and past-participle form and is pronounced /sed/.
- tell
- Tell usually takes a person directly, as in told me; said requires to before a listener.
- spoke
- Spoke is the past of speak and often emphasizes the act, manner, or occasion of speaking rather than the specific message.
- sad
- Sad means unhappy and is pronounced /sæd/, with a different vowel from said.
30-second recall3 questions
Try to answer from memory before revealing each answer.
0 of 3 answers revealed
Recall the meaning
said
Answerverb (past simple and past participle of say) · spoke or pronounced particular words or sounds
Recall the collocation
greeted someone with words
Answersaid hello
She said hello to the new student.
Correct the sentence
He sayed goodbye.
AnswerHe said goodbye.
Said is the irregular past form of say.