Saying - English meaning

noun

A proverb or short statement expressing a general truth.

Usage examples:

The old adage ‘out of sight out of mind’

noun

A wise saying or proverb

Usage examples:

He remembered the old adage, "look before you leap."

verb

Join (something) to something else so as to increase the size, number, or amount.

Usage examples:

I've started a petition so if you would like to add your name, email me

abbreviation

Analogue digital digital, indicating that a music recording was made in analogue format before being mastered and stored digitally.

noun

Any of a range of behavioural disorders occurring primarily in children, including such symptoms as poor concentration, hyperactivity, and learning difficulties.

verb

Make a formal public statement about a fact, occurrence, or intention.

Usage examples:

The president's office announced that the siege would be lifted

noun

A thing that is said, written, or done as a reaction to a question, statement, or situation.

Usage examples:

He knocked and entered without waiting for an answer

verb

Say or write something as a reaction to someone or something.

Usage examples:

‘of course i can,’ she answered

verb

A statement made to reply to a question or criticism

noun

A pithy observation which contains a general truth.

Usage examples:

The old aphorism ‘the child is father to the man’

verb

Suppose to be the case, without proof.

Usage examples:

Topics which assume detailed knowledge of local events

noun

A statement or proposition which is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true.

Usage examples:

The axiom that sport builds character

noun

A well-known sentence or phrase, especially one that is associated with a particular famous person.

Usage examples:

The movie gave the world the catchphrase ‘i'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse’

noun

A phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.

Usage examples:

That old cliché ‘a woman's place is in the home’

noun

An idea or expression that has been used too often and is often considered a sign of bad writing or old-fashioned thinking

Usage examples:

The story is shamelessly corny, and grownups will groan at its clichés.

abbreviation

Computer output on microfilm or microfiche.

Usage examples:

A com port

noun

A verbal or written remark expressing an opinion or reaction.

Usage examples:

You asked for comments on the new proposals

verb

Express an opinion or reaction in speech or writing.

Usage examples:

The company would not comment on the venture

verb

To express an opinion

Usage examples:

The lawyer won’t comment publicly on the case., [ c ] one of his comments had to do with the state …

adjective

Not unusual; ordinary.

Usage examples:

Unemployment was commonplace in his trade

noun

A usual or ordinary thing.

Usage examples:

Bombing has become almost a commonplace of public life there

adjective

Happening or seen frequently and so not considered special or unusual

Usage examples:

Public financing for sports stadiums has become commonplace.

verb

Say something in a solemn and emphatic manner.

Usage examples:

The prime minister declared that the programme of austerity had paid off

verb

To announce or express something clearly and publicly, esp. officially

Usage examples:

The courts declared the policy unconstitutional., a state of emergency has been declared because of…

verb

To make a public or official statement about something

Usage examples:

All pre-existing health conditions should be declared to your insurer., after the acquittal, ceo, b…

noun

A formal pronouncement from an authoritative source.

Usage examples:

The dicta of high court judges

noun

A short statement, especially one expressing advice or a general truth

Usage examples:

He followed the famous american dictum "don't get mad, get even".

noun

A pithy saying or remark expressing an idea in a clever and amusing way.

Usage examples:

A wildean epigram

noun

An inscription on a building, statue, or coin.

Usage examples:

The epigraph could be seen clearly on the pillars and walls.

noun

The action of making known one's thoughts or feelings.

Usage examples:

The prisoners developed a dialect as an everyday means of expression

noun

A mathematical relationship or rule expressed in symbols.

Usage examples:

The formula for the capacitance of a spherical capacitor

noun

The exact chemical parts that a mixture consists of

Usage examples:

[ c ] the company announced that it was changing its soft-drink formula to make it sweeter., [ c us…

noun

A standard or accepted way of doing something

Usage examples:

A formula for sth/for doing sth tandy had a simple formula for locating his stores: put them where …

noun

A legendary dwarfish creature supposed to guard the earth's treasures underground.

Usage examples:

Elves and men and gnomes and goblins alike looked about in fear and confusion.

noun

A short statement encapsulating a general truth; a maxim.

noun

(in children’s stories) an imaginary, very small old man who lives underground and guards gold and other valuable objects

verb

Put (something) forward as a hypothesis.

Usage examples:

Lack of cushioning in shoes has been hypothesized as a cause of running injuries

verb

Believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds

verb

To give a possible but not yet proven explanation for something

Usage examples:

There's no point hypothesizing about how the accident happened, since we'll never really know.

verb

Form a mental image or concept of.

Usage examples:

She imagined him at his desk, his head in his hands

verb

To form or have a mental picture or idea of something or someone

Usage examples:

Imagine tom as a child – that’s what john looks like., [ + that clause ] i imagine (= expect) (that…

noun

A short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct.

Usage examples:

The maxim that actions speak louder than words

noun

A brief statement of a general truth, principle, or rule for behavior

Usage examples:

She lived by the maxim, "do right, risk consequences."

verb

Refer to (something) briefly and without going into detail.

Usage examples:

I haven't mentioned it to william yet

noun

A reference to someone or something.

Usage examples:

Their eyes light up at a mention of sartre

verb

To speak about someone or something, esp. briefly and without giving much detail

Usage examples:

[ + (that) clause ] has he mentioned (that) he’s leaving his job?, i promised never to mention her …

noun

A short sentence or phrase chosen as encapsulating the beliefs or ideals of an individual, family, or institution.

Usage examples:

The family motto is ‘faithful though unfortunate’

noun

A word, phrase, or sentence that expresses the principles or belief of a person, group, country, or organization

Usage examples:

The motto printed on us currency is "in god we trust."

noun

The opening and cavity in the lower part of the human face, surrounded by the lips, through which food is taken in and vocal sounds are emitted.

Usage examples:

Ben stood transfixed with disbelief, his mouth open

verb

Move the lips as if saying (something).

Usage examples:

She mouthed a silent farewell

noun

The opening in the face used by a person or animal to eat and drink

Usage examples:

I wish you wouldn’t chew with your mouth open., we looked down into the mouth of the volcano., i mo…

verb

Say something indistinctly and quietly, making it difficult for others to hear.

Usage examples:

He mumbled something she didn't catch

noun

A quiet and indistinct utterance.

Usage examples:

Rosie had replied in a mumble

verb

Talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

verb

Say something in a low or barely audible voice, especially in dissatisfaction or irritation.

Usage examples:

He muttered something under his breath

noun

A barely audible utterance, especially one expressing dissatisfaction or irritation.

Usage examples:

A little mutter of disgust

verb

To speak quietly and in a voice that is not easy to hear, often when you are anxious or complaining about something

Usage examples:

[ i ] he muttered to himself as he walked., [ t ] i heard him mutter something., "there has to be a…

noun

A brief record of points or ideas written down as an aid to memory.

Usage examples:

I'll make a note in my diary

verb

Notice or pay particular attention to (something).

Usage examples:

He noted his mother's unusual gaiety

verb

Notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant.

Usage examples:

She observed that all the chairs were already occupied

verb

Watch attentively

noun

A small group of words standing together as a conceptual unit, typically forming a component of a clause.

Usage examples:

‘to improve standards’ is the key phrase here

verb

Put into a particular form of words.

Usage examples:

It's important to phrase the question correctly

An expression consisting of one or more words

noun

A remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful.

Usage examples:

He masks his disdain for her with platitudes about how she should believe in herself more

verb

Put forward as fact or as a basis for argument.

Usage examples:

The confucian view posits a perfectible human nature

noun

A statement which is made on the assumption that it will prove to be true.

Usage examples:

Aristotle divides posits into two types, definitions and hypotheses.

verb

To suggest something as a basic fact or principle from which a further idea is formed or developed

Usage examples:

[ + that ] if we posit that wage rises cause inflation, it follows that we should try to minimize t…

verb

Suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of (something) as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief.

Usage examples:

His theory postulated a rotatory movement for hurricanes

noun

A thing suggested or assumed as true as the basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief.

Usage examples:

Perhaps the postulate of babylonian influence on greek astronomy is incorrect

noun

A general rule intended to regulate behaviour or thought.

Usage examples:

The legal precept of being innocent until proven guilty

noun

A rule for action or behavior, esp. one based on moral consideration

Usage examples:

Common precepts of decency

verb

Suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability.

Usage examples:

I presumed that the man had been escorted from the building

verb

To believe something to be true because it is likely, although not certain

Usage examples:

[ + (that) clause ] i presume (that) they’re not coming, since they haven’t replied to the invitati…

verb

Make the sound of (a word or part of a word) in the correct or a particular way.

Usage examples:

Gerry pronounced the hero's name ‘cahoolin’

verb

To say a word or a letter in a particular way or in a correct way

Usage examples:

Around here, "aunt" is not pronounced the same as "ant.", how do you pronounce your last name?, dew…

noun

A short, well-known pithy saying, stating a general truth or piece of advice.

Usage examples:

Riddles, proverbs, and sayings that describe proper behavior for both young and old kenyans are sti…

noun

A short statement, usually known by many people for a long time, that gives advice or expresses some common truth

Usage examples:

A chinese proverb says that the longest journey begins with a single step.

verb

Join together again; reunite.

Usage examples:

The stone had been cracked and crudely rejoined

verb

Say something in reply, typically in a quick or critical manner.

Usage examples:

‘it's nice to talk under the stars.’ ‘no stars tonight,’ he rejoined

verb

Join again

verb

Say something as a comment; mention.

Usage examples:

‘tom's looking peaky,’ she remarked

noun

A written or spoken comment.

Usage examples:

I decided to ignore his rude remarks

verb

To give a spoken statement of an opinion or thought

Usage examples:

[ + (that) clause ] she remarked (that) she’d be home late., [ i ] all his friends remarked on the …

verb

Say something in response to something someone has said.

Usage examples:

He was gone before we could reply to his last remark

noun

A verbal or written answer.

Usage examples:

I received a reply from the managing director

verb

To answer a question

Usage examples:

[ i ] she asked him how old he was but he didn’t reply., [ + that clause ] he replied that he wasn’…

verb

Say something in reply.

Usage examples:

She could not get robert to respond to her words

noun

A half-pillar or half-pier attached to a wall to support an arch, especially at the end of an arcade.

Usage examples:

The e and w responds of both nave arcades are romanesque.

verb

Show a reaction to something

noun

A hand tool for cutting wood or other hard materials, typically with a long, thin serrated blade and operated using a backwards and forwards movement.

Usage examples:

Mark the cut line on the board and position the saw with its blade on the line.

verb

Cut (something) using a saw.

Usage examples:

The top of each post is sawn off at railing height

verb

Past of see1.

noun

A short and striking or memorable phrase used in advertising.

Usage examples:

A series of arson attacks gave new meaning to the advertising slogan ‘come home to a real fire’

noun

A short, easily remembered phrase used to describe the character of something, esp. a political idea or a product

Usage examples:

That old campaign slogan really means that there should be jobs and enough food for all citizens.

noun

A short, easily remembered phrase used by an organization so that people will recognize it or its products

Usage examples:

Advertising/marketing/branding slogan the company's advertising slogan in the 1970s and 1980s was "…

verb

Say something in order to convey information or to express a feeling.

Usage examples:

In his agitation he was unable to speak

combining form

Forming nouns denoting a manner of speaking, characteristic of a specified field or group.

Usage examples:

Technospeak

noun

The particular condition that someone or something is in at a specific time.

Usage examples:

The state of the company's finances

verb

Express something definitely or clearly in speech or writing.

Usage examples:

The report stated that more than 51 per cent of voters failed to participate

noun

A condition or way of being

Usage examples:

The stable was preserved in its original state., your room is in a terrible state., it's a sad stat…

verb

Think or assume that something is true or probable but lack proof or certain knowledge.

Usage examples:

I suppose i got there about noon

verb

To expect or believe

Usage examples:

[ i ] "will you be going with them?" "yes, i suppose (so).", [ + (that) clause ] "you don’t suppose…

verb

To think that something is likely to be true

Usage examples:

[ + (that) ] dan didn't answer his phone, so i suppose (that) he's busy., he found it a lot more di…

noun

A label attached to someone or something for the purpose of identification or to give other information.

Usage examples:

He gave his pet a collar with a metal name tag

verb

Attach a label to.

Usage examples:

Mothers suspected that their babies had been wrongly tagged during an alarm at the hospital

verb

Touch (someone being chased) in a game of tag.

Usage examples:

Freeze tag is a game where one person is selected to chase and tag the others.

noun

A statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting.

Usage examples:

The truism that you get what you pay for

adjective

Complete; absolute.

Usage examples:

Charlotte stared at her in utter amazement

verb

Make (a sound) with one's voice.

Usage examples:

He uttered an exasperated snort

adjective

Complete or extreme

Usage examples:

What an utter fool i was!, she felt isolated and utterly alone., she sat through the entire meeting…

verb

Utter (a sound or word).

Usage examples:

The child vocalizes a number of distinct sounds

verb

To sing, speak, or make sounds

Usage examples:

[ i ] she studied how often infants vocalized.

noun

The sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song.

Usage examples:

Meg raised her voice

verb

Express (something) in words.

Usage examples:

Get teachers to voice their opinions on important subjects

noun

The sound made when people speak or sing, or the ability to make such a sound

Usage examples:

[ c ] she spoke in a low, soft voice, and i had to ask her to speak louder., [ c ] i heard the murm…

verb

Speak very softly using one's breath rather than one's throat, especially for the sake of secrecy.

Usage examples:

Alison was whispering in his ear

noun

A soft or confidential tone of voice; a whispered word or phrase.

Usage examples:

She spoke in a whisper

verb

To say something very quietly, using the breath but not the voice

Usage examples:

[ i ] what are you girls whispering about?, they spoke in whispers, not wanting anyone to hear them.