Aye Definition & Meaning

American

British

Etymology

Examples

Synonyms aye American [ahy] / aɪ /

adverb

1. yes.

noun

1. an affirmative vote or voter, especially in British Parliament, corresponding to yea in U.S. Congress.

aye 1 British / aɪ /

1. yes: archaic or dialectal except in voting by voice

2. 1. an expression of compliance, esp used by seamen

   2. an expression of amused surprise, esp at encountering something that confirms one's suspicions, expectations, etc

"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

noun

1. 1. a person who votes in the affirmative

   2. an affirmative vote

"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 aye 2 British / əɪ /

adverb

1. always; still

"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 aye

First recorded in 1570–80; earlier spelling I, of uncertain origin

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.

“You’ll have to ask Madame Ionesco. Whatever she saw in her orb of prognostication, so far she’s kept it to herself. Anyway. ‘Aye aye, Madame,’ I reply.

From Literature

“Aye. Look! I’m starting to see some letters! Although the prose looks a bit odd...”

From Literature

“Aye aye, Captain. Seasick anyway.”

From Literature

“Aye, aye, Captain Admiral, sir!”

From Literature

“Aye, aye, yes, that’s the spirit,” the admiral muttered, glancing at his pocket watch.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.