nay

Nay is a negation word used in English as an adverb or interjection. It means "no" or "not at all" and is typically more formal, archaic, or literary than the everyday "no." It can signal a negative response or express disagreement, as in "Nay, I do not think so." In formal ballots, "yea" and "nay" have historically been used to indicate affirmative and negative votes, though many modern bodies favor "yes" and "no."

Historically, nay appears in Old English and Middle English texts and has circulated in religious, legal, and poetic writing. Its use has declined in everyday speech but persists in ceremonial phrases, parliamentary rhetoric, and historical fiction. In addition to the standard form, Scots English features the related form "nae," meaning "no" or "not any."

In contemporary writing, nay is typically reserved for stylistic effect or quotation of older or ceremonial speech. It is commonly encountered in discussions of language history, literature, and poetry, where its ductus can underscore formality or antiquity.

See also: yeas and nays, negation, historical English.