Nay vs. Yes — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Nay and Yes
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Definitions
Nay
No
All but four Democrats voted nay.
Yes
Used to give an affirmative response
‘Do you understand?’ ‘Yes.’
Nay
And moreover
He was ill-favored, nay, hideous.
Yes
Used as a response to someone addressing one or trying to attract one's attention
‘Oh, Mr Lawrence.’ ‘Yes?’
Nay
A denial or refusal.
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Yes
Used to question a remark
‘It should be easy to check.’ ‘Oh yes? How?’
Nay
A negative vote or voter.
Yes
Encouraging someone to continue speaking
‘When you bought those photographs …’ ‘Yes?’
Nay
No.
Yes
Expressing great pleasure or excitement
Plenty to eat, including hot hamburger sandwiches (yes!)
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Nay
Introducing a statement, without direct negation.
Yes
Expressing irritation or impatience
‘Is the pain still there?’ ‘Yes, yes, damn you, the pain is always there’
Nay
Or rather, or should I say; moreover (introducing a stronger and more appropriate expression than the preceding one).
His face was dirty, nay, filthy.
Yes
An affirmative answer or decision, especially in voting
Answering with assured and ardent yeses
Nay
(archaic) No.
Yes
It is so; as you say or ask. Used to express affirmation, agreement, positive confirmation, or consent.
Nay
A vote against.
I vote nay, even though the motion is popular, because I would rather be right than popular.
Yes
An affirmative or consenting reply.
Nay
A person who voted against.
The vote is 4 in favor and 20 opposed; the nays have it.
Yes
An affirmative vote or voter.
Nay
(archaic) A denial; a refusal.
Yes
To give an affirmative reply to.
Nay
(obsolete) To refuse.
Yes
Used to express great satisfaction, approval, or happiness.
Nay
(obsolete) Nary. en
Yes
(interrogative) Used to ask for more information with a request.
I need some help.
Yes?
Yes?
Nay
No; - a negative answer to a question asked, or a request made, now superseded by no. Opposed to aye or yea. See also Yes.
And eke when I say "ye," ne say not "nay."
I tell you nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
And now do they thrust us out privily? nay, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
He that will not when he may,When he would he shall have nay.
Yes
An affirmative expression; an answer that shows agreement or acceptance.
Was that a yes?
Nay
Not this merely, but also; not only so, but; - used to mark the addition or substitution of a more explicit or more emphatic phrase.
Yes
A vote of support or in favor/favour of something.
The workers voted on whether to strike, and there were thirty "yeses" and one "no".
Nay
Denial; refusal.
Yes
To agree with, affirm, approve.
Did he yes the veto?
Nay
A negative vote; one who votes in the negative.
Yes
(slang) to attempt to flatter someone by habitually agreeing
Nay
To refuse.
Yes
Ay; yea; - a word which expresses affirmation or consent; - opposed to no.
Nay
A negative;
The nays have it
Yes
An affirmative;
I was hoping for a yes
Nay
Not this merely but also; not only so but;
Each of us is peculiar, nay, in a sense unique
