Nay
adverb
No, or more than just no.
Is it hard? Nay, it's impossible to do.
Often appears as...
- nay
- it is
Usage tips
Formal
Archaic
adjective
A negative value or vote.
The nays outweigh the ayes; the motion does not pass.
Often appears as...
- nays and ayes
- nays have it
Usage tips
Neutral
Academic
adverb
No, or more than just no.
Is it hard? Nay, it's impossible to do.
Often appears as...
- nay
- it is
Usage tips
Formal
Archaic
adjective
A negative value or vote.
The nays outweigh the ayes; the motion does not pass.
Often appears as...
- nays and ayes
- nays have it
Usage tips
Neutral
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Old-fashioned No
Learners should be aware that 'nay' is rarely used in modern conversation and can sound outdated.
Do you like modern music? Nay, I prefer classics.
Pro Tip 2/3Emphatic Denial
'Nay' can be used to strongly reject a notion, often more forceful than a simple 'no'.
Would you betray your principles? Nay, never!
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Usage
'Nay' is commonly found in older literature, poetry, and historical texts.
Nay, milord, I shall not yield!
Pro Tip 1/3Old-fashioned No
Learners should be aware that 'nay' is rarely used in modern conversation and can sound outdated.
Do you like modern music? Nay, I prefer classics.
Pro Tip 2/3Emphatic Denial
'Nay' can be used to strongly reject a notion, often more forceful than a simple 'no'.
Would you betray your principles? Nay, never!
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Usage
'Nay' is commonly found in older literature, poetry, and historical texts.
Nay, milord, I shall not yield!
Pro Tip 1/3Old-fashioned No
Learners should be aware that 'nay' is rarely used in modern conversation and can sound outdated.
Do you like modern music? Nay, I prefer classics.
Pro Tip 2/3Emphatic Denial
'Nay' can be used to strongly reject a notion, often more forceful than a simple 'no'.
Would you betray your principles? Nay, never!
Pro Tip 3/3Literary Usage
'Nay' is commonly found in older literature, poetry, and historical texts.
Nay, milord, I shall not yield!
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Video examples
Safari Live - Day 372 PIPE...
be a leopard here or some lions I was actually really hoping for some lions one of the only places they can come and drink in this corner but nay it is not to be the humble bumble is not for the faint of heart but we will have to continue on with it
Video examples
Can you solve the pirate...
Then, each pirate, including Amaro himself, gets to vote either yarr or nay. If the vote passes, or if there's a tie, the coins are divided according to plan. But if the majority votes nay, Amaro must walk the plank
Video examples
Science in service to...
Some of mankind's greatest challenges lie ahead of us; contaminated drinking water is just one example. We could definitely use more -- nay, we desperately need more -- compassionate upstanders
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 372 PIPE...
be a leopard here or some lions I was actually really hoping for some lions one of the only places they can come and drink in this corner but nay it is not to be the humble bumble is not for the faint of heart but we will have to continue on with it
Video examples
Can you solve the pirate...
Then, each pirate, including Amaro himself, gets to vote either yarr or nay. If the vote passes, or if there's a tie, the coins are divided according to plan. But if the majority votes nay, Amaro must walk the plank
Video examples
Science in service to...
Some of mankind's greatest challenges lie ahead of us; contaminated drinking water is just one example. We could definitely use more -- nay, we desperately need more -- compassionate upstanders
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Tom Hodgkinson
British Writer
Being lazy does not mean that you do not create. In fact, lying around doing nothing is an important, nay crucial, part of the creative process. It is meaningless bustle that actually gets in the way of productivity. All we are really saying is, give peace a chance.
Quote examples
Francesco Guicciardini
Italian Historian
The affairs of this world are so shifting and depend on so many accidents, that it is hard to form any judgment concerning the future; nay, we see from experience that the forecasts even of the wise almost always turn out false.
Quote examples
Maya Angelou
American Poet
We have to confront ourselves. Do we like what we see in the mirror? And, according to our light, according to our understanding, according to our courage, we will have to say yea or nay - and rise!
Quote examples
Charles Darwin
English Scientist
We can allow satellites, planets, suns, universe, nay whole systems of universes, to be governed by laws, but the smallest insect, we wish to be created at once by special act.
Quote examples
George Gissing
British Novelist
Money is time. With money I buy for cheerful use the hours which otherwise would not in any sense be mine; nay, which would make me their miserable bondsman.
Quote examples
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
American Writer
Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening.
Quote examples
Henry David Thoreau
American Author
Nay, be a Columbus to whole new continents and worlds within you, opening new channels, not of trade, but of thought.
Quote examples
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
French Writer
He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.
Quote examples
William Godwin
English Writer
Occupation - pressing occupation that will not be said nay - is a sovereign remedy for grief.
Quote examples
Rudy Rucker
American Scientist
Unfortunately our nation, nay, our world, is run by evil morons.
Quote examples
Tom Hodgkinson
British Writer
Being lazy does not mean that you do not create. In fact, lying around doing nothing is an important, nay crucial, part of the creative process. It is meaningless bustle that actually gets in the way of productivity. All we are really saying is, give peace a chance.
Quote examples
Francesco Guicciardini
Italian Historian
The affairs of this world are so shifting and depend on so many accidents, that it is hard to form any judgment concerning the future; nay, we see from experience that the forecasts even of the wise almost always turn out false.
Quote examples
Maya Angelou
American Poet
We have to confront ourselves. Do we like what we see in the mirror? And, according to our light, according to our understanding, according to our courage, we will have to say yea or nay - and rise!
Quote examples
Charles Darwin
English Scientist
We can allow satellites, planets, suns, universe, nay whole systems of universes, to be governed by laws, but the smallest insect, we wish to be created at once by special act.
Quote examples
George Gissing
British Novelist
Money is time. With money I buy for cheerful use the hours which otherwise would not in any sense be mine; nay, which would make me their miserable bondsman.
Quote examples
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
American Writer
Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at evening.
Quote examples
Henry David Thoreau
American Author
Nay, be a Columbus to whole new continents and worlds within you, opening new channels, not of trade, but of thought.
Quote examples
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
French Writer
He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man.
Quote examples
William Godwin
English Writer
Occupation - pressing occupation that will not be said nay - is a sovereign remedy for grief.
Quote examples
Rudy Rucker
American Scientist
Unfortunately our nation, nay, our world, is run by evil morons.
Example 1 of 10
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