say-so
Americannoun
plural
say-sos-
one's personal statement or assertion.
-
final authority; directing influence.
-
an authoritative statement.
noun
-
an arbitrary assertion
-
an authoritative decision
-
the authority to make a final decision
Etymology
Origin of say-so
First recorded in 1630–40; originally, one's mere word on a matter, as opposed to proof
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.
Two years later, Mr. Novick lost his new job as a U.S. marshal after being put on a blacklist on the say-so of federal prosecutors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025
As a result, neither DOJ’s statement, nor the still-unavailable OLC opinion, nor the say-so of the president, the attorney general, or the secretary of defense is the last word.
From Slate • Nov. 24, 2025
“Now we have a seat at the table and some say-so in how this proceeds forward, which is a big step,” says Gill.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2024
But in a 52-page decision, Liman said the plaintiffs did not prove they had sincere religious objections to being vaccinated, and instead offered only their "say-so" on the issue.
From Reuters • Sep. 25, 2023
She thinks I’m a barrel full of crazy, but I keep going because sometimes my tongue goes on without my say-so.
From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
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.