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yea

/jeɪ/
/jeɪ/
IPA guide

Other forms: yeas

Yea sounds like "yay" and is another word for "yes." It's often paired with "nay" when taking a vote in formal government or law and sometimes when asking friends if they want to get together, "Yea or nay?"

When an official asks for a vote on a bill or judgment, the question may be "How say you?" in the old style of English with an equally old-school response of "Yea" meaning a vote in favor. Using yea in casual conversation is less common but it's useful for showing that a person's "yes" counts as a vote because it matters in making a decision, as when you ask each other "Are you in or out — yea or nay?" when making plans.

Definitions of yea
  1. noun
    an affirmative
    “The yeas have it”
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    nay
    a negative
    type of:
    affirmative
    a reply of affirmation
  2. adverb
    not only so, but
    “I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice”
    synonyms: yeah
Pronunciation
US
/jeɪ/
UK
/jeɪ/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘yea'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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