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ay

1 American  
[ey] / eɪ /

adverb

Archaic.
  1. ever; always.


ay 2 American  
[ey] / eɪ /

interjection

Archaic.
  1. (used to express regret or sorrow.)


ay 1 British  
/ eɪ /

adverb

  1. archaic ever; always

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ay 2 British  
/ eɪ /

interjection

  1. archaic an expression of misery or surprise

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ay 3 British  
/ aɪ /
  1. a variant spelling of aye 1

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ay1

1150–1200; Middle English ei, ai < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse ei, cognate with Old English ā ever

Origin of ay2

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A tale of heartbreak or betrayal is likely to be punctuated by hoots of laughter or mocking cries of ay!

From New York Times Jun. 22, 2023

NOTES: Semifinals, Thursday, 4 p.m. ay higher seeds.

From Los Angeles Times May 28, 2023

Garcia said he was unaware of the ruling, which could bar him from ay European events he was hoping to play.

From Seattle Times Apr. 6, 2023

Charles became king immediately following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, but a historic meeting ay St James's Palace formally confirmed his role on Saturday.

From BBC Sep. 10, 2022

She is the child from, the brotherhood of shadows, ay?

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older

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