Meanings
- formalWhat do you say? What is your opinion?
But vvhat ſay you novv? there is a Trout novv, and a good one too, if I can but hold him; and tvvo or three turns more vvill tire him: […]
1653, Iz[aak] Wa[lton], chapter II, in The Compleat Angler or The Contemplative Man’s Recreation. Being a Discourse of Fish and Fishing, […], London: […] T. Maxey for Rich[ard] Marriot, […], →OCLC; reprinted as The Compleat Angler (Homo Ludens; 6), Nieuwkoop, South Holland, Netherlands: Miland Publishers, 1969, →ISBN, page 603 more examples
"What say you, my friend," cried the traveller, turning pleasantly to Natty's companion; "shall we toss up this dollar for the honour, and you keep the silver if you lose – what say you, friend?"
1823, [James Fenimore Cooper], chapter I, in The Pioneers, or The Sources of the Susquehanna; […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: Charles Wiley; […], →OCLC, page 13I think this is a huge boon to sushi in America. But these American sushi chefs have told me they face discrimination from American customers, who assume that because they're not Japanese or even Asian, they don't know what they're doing. Of course, there are good American chefs and not-so-good American chefs, but in my experience this applies to chefs who look Asian, too. What say you?
2009 May 18, Trevor Corson, “Does Race Matter for Sushi Chefs?”, in The Atlantic, Washington, D.C.: The Atlantic Monthly Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 26 Jun 2022Bags are no sooner unpacked in the prime ministerial suite than it's down to tin tacks: to implementation. Here's my wish list, what say you? Yes, it really is that transactional. Sorry.
2013 October 25, Katharine Murphy, “Andrew Bolt v Tony Abbott: all very amiable – up to a point”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 27 Jan 2022Synonyms: how say you
- formallawWhen addressed to a defendant in court: how do you plead? Also, when addressed to a jury or its foreperson: what is your verdict?
Synonyms: how say you, how say you
- informalSometimes followed by if: how about or what about (something)?
- informalFollowed by to: do you fancy, or would you like (something, such as an activity or a drink or a food item)?
VVhat ſay you to a leg of Beef novv, ſirha?
c. 1613 (first performance), John Fletcher, “The Tragedie of Bonduca”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1647, →OCLC, Act II, scene iii, page 54, column 12 more examples
If vve ſhould reuell much, therefore vve vvill haue / Some halfe a dozen frends and make no more adoe. / But vvhat ſay you to Thurſday.
c. 1591–1595 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] Romeo and Juliet. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Iohn Danter, published 1597, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv]Come, Captain, let not your noble Courage be caſt dovvn; vvhat ſay you to a Glaſs of vvhite VVine, or a Tiff of Punch, by VVay of VVhet?
1751 December (indicated as 1752), Henry Fielding, “In which are Many Profound Secrets of Philosophy”, in Amelia, volume III, London: […] [William Strahan] for A[ndrew] Millar […], →OCLC, book VIII, pages 202–203
Synonyms & antonyms
phraseWhat do you say? What is your opinion?
phraseWhen addressed to a defendant in court: how do you plead? Also, when addressed to a jury or its foreperson: what is your verdict?
Origin
Early Modern English syntax for what do you say; at the time, do-support was not yet obligatory. Compare Middle English what seien ye.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Finnish kuinka vastaatte syytteisiin?, mikä on tuomionne?
- kuinka vastaatte syytteisiin?when addressed to a defendant in court: how do you plead?
- mikä on tuomionne?when addressed to a jury or its foreperson: what is your verdict?
- haluaisitko ...do you fancy or would you like (something)?
Polish czy oskarżony przyznaje się do zarzucanego mu czynu?, jaki jest wasz werdykt?
- czy oskarżony przyznaje się do zarzucanego mu czynu?when addressed to a defendant in court: how do you plead?
- jaki jest wasz werdykt?when addressed to a jury or its foreperson: what is your verdict?
- co powiesz na?do you fancy or would you like (something)?
- co ty na to?what is your opinion?
- co powiesz?what is your opinion?
Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with what say you
All rhymes →Cite this entry
what say you. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what%20say%20you
“what say you.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what%20say%20you. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “what say you,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/what%20say%20you.
Source: what say you on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.