yea

1 of 2

adverb

ˈyā 

1

: yes

—used in oral voting

2

: more than this : not only so but

—used to introduce a more explicit or emphatic phrase

yet the impression, yea the evidence, is inescapable

—J. G. Harrison

3

informal : to this extent or degree

The hole was yea [=this] big

yea high

yea tall

yea

2 of 2

noun

1

: affirmation, assent

2

a

: an affirmative vote

b

: a person casting a yea vote

Synonyms

Adverb

• even
• indeed
• nay
• truly
• verily

Noun

• affirmative
• yes

Examples of yea in a Sentence

Adverb

we will go to the new land, and, yea, we will pursue our dreams!

I vote yea on the proposed increase in the school budget.

Noun

the measure passed with 50 yeas and 17 nays

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Solend governance token-holders who participated voted yea with 97.5% of the vote. —Danny Nelson, Fortune, 19 June 2022

Noun

Lions and Vikes are known for offense — who would have believed a few yeas ago that Jared Goff vs. Sam Darnold would be a marquee duel? —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025

One is public employees who receive pensions that are exempt from Social Security payroll taxes, but who also worked at least 10 yeas in jobs that required them to pay into the system. —Maya C. Miller, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English ye, ya, from Old English gēa; akin to Old High German jā yes

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing yea

• yea-sayer

Kids Definition

yea

1 of 2 adverb

ˈyā 

1

: yes entry 1 sense 1

—used in oral voting

2

—used to give special force to a phrase that follows

most people, yea everyone, would agree with that

yea

2 of 2 noun

1

: a vote in favor of something

2

: a person casting a yea vote