How Do You Spell GAINSAY?

Pronunciation: [ɡˈe͡ɪnse͡ɪ] (IPA)

The word "gainsay" is spelled as [geyn-sey]. This word means to contradict or deny something, and it originally comes from the Old English words "gegn" which means against and "secgan" which means to say. The phonetic transcription "geyn-sey" breaks down the pronunciation of the word. The first syllable "geyn" is pronounced with a long "a" sound, and the ending syllable "sey" pronounces like "say." By understanding the breakdown of the phonetic transcription, one can accurately pronounce and spell the word "gainsay".

GAINSAY Meaning and Definition

  1. The verb "gainsay" refers to the act of denying, contradicting, or opposing a statement, argument, or claim. It is commonly employed to express disagreement or challenge someone's assertion. When one "gainsays" another, it indicates that they are actively refuting or contesting what has been put forward.

    The term "gainsay" can also connote a sense of resistance, as it implies an unwillingness to submit to authority or accept a given viewpoint as true without questioning or scrutiny. It suggests an inclination towards skepticism or a desire to examine propositions critically.

    "Gainsay" can be used in a variety of contexts, be it in formal discussions, legal debates, or everyday conversations. It is often associated with intellectual and rational discourse, as it entails presenting counterarguments, providing evidence, or challenging the logic behind a particular statement.

    While "gainsay" is frequently utilized to signify disagreement, it does not necessarily imply aggression or animosity. It simply indicates a divergence of opinion or viewpoint. Moreover, "gainsay" emphasizes the active opposition or denial, distinguishing it from passive disagreement or silent dissent.

    Overall, "gainsay" encapsulates the notion of challenging, contradicting, or refuting a statement or argument, requiring a proactive stance against a given claim or viewpoint.

  2. To contradict; to oppose in words.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for GAINSAY

Etymology of GAINSAY

The word gainsay has its origins in Middle English and can be traced back to Old English through a combination of elements. It comes from the Old English word gegn, meaning against, and the verb secgan, meaning to say. In Middle English, the prefix ge- evolved into gain-, and secgan became sayen. Over time, these morphemes were combined to form gainsay, with gain denoting opposition or contradiction and say representing speech or expression. Overall, the word gainsay can be understood as meaning to say against or to contradict.

Similar spelling words for GAINSAY

Conjugate verb Gainsay

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have gainsaid
you would have gainsaid
he/she/it would have gainsaid
we would have gainsaid
they would have gainsaid
I would have gainsay
you would have gainsay
he/she/it would have gainsay
we would have gainsay
they would have gainsay

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been gainsaying
you would have been gainsaying
he/she/it would have been gainsaying
we would have been gainsaying
they would have been gainsaying

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would gainsay
you would gainsay
he/she/it would gainsay
we would gainsay
they would gainsay

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be gainsaying
you would be gainsaying
he/she/it would be gainsaying
we would be gainsaying
they would be gainsaying

FUTURE

I will gainsay
you will gainsay
he/she/it will gainsay
we will gainsay
they will gainsay

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be gainsaying
you will be gainsaying
he/she/it will be gainsaying
we will be gainsaying
they will be gainsaying

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have gainsaid
you will have gainsaid
he/she/it will have gainsaid
we will have gainsaid
they will have gainsaid

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been gainsaying
you will have been gainsaying
he/she/it will have been gainsaying
we will have been gainsaying
they will have been gainsaying

IMPERATIVE

you gainsay
we let´s gainsay

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to gainsay

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was gainsaying
you were gainsaying
he/she/it was gainsaying
we were gainsaying
they were gainsaying

PAST PARTICIPLE

gainsaid

PAST PERFECT

I had gainsaid
you had gainsaid
he/she/it had gainsaid
we had gainsaid
they had gainsaid

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been gainsaying
you had been gainsaying
he/she/it had been gainsaying
we had been gainsaying
they had been gainsaying

PRESENT

I gainsay
you gainsay
he/she/it gainsays
we gainsay
they gainsay

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am gainsaying
you are gainsaying
he/she/it is gainsaying
we are gainsaying
they are gainsaying

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

gainsaying

PRESENT PERFECT

I have gainsaid
you have gainsaid
he/she/it has gainsaid
we have gainsaid
they have gainsaid

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been gainsaying
you have been gainsaying
he/she/it has been gainsaying
we have been gainsaying
they have been gainsaying

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it gainsay

SIMPLE PAST

I gainsaid
you gainsaid
he/she/it gainsaid
we gainsaid
they gainsaid

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