aye

[ ahy ]

adverb

1. yes.

noun

1. an affirmative vote or voter, especially in British Parliament, corresponding to yea in U.S. Congress.

aye

¹

/ əɪ /

adverb

1. always; still

aye

²

/ aɪ /

sentence substitute

1. yes: archaic or dialectal except in voting by voice
2. aye aye
   1. an expression of compliance, esp used by seamen
   2. an expression of amused surprise, esp at encountering something that confirms one's suspicions, expectations, etc

noun

1. 1. a person who votes in the affirmative
   2. an affirmative vote

Word History and Origins

Origin of aye¹

First recorded in 1570–80; earlier spelling I, of uncertain origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of aye¹

Old Norse ei ever; Old English ā; compare Latin aevum an age, Greek aion aeon, aiei ever, always

Origin of aye²

C16: probably from pronoun I, expressing assent

Example Sentences

Soe Soe Aye, a widow in her 60s, has been left without word from her son, who was conscripted six months ago.

From BBC

Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were the sole GOP aye votes, leaving Democrats 8 votes shy of overcoming a filibuster on the matter, which would have codified the right to contraception access in Griswold v.

From Salon

“Aye, for the record, I don’t believe the stuff they been saying on the news ’bout you,” he says.

From Literature

On one vote, Lindsey Graham, distracted in conversation with Cory Booker, voted aye when he meant to vote nay.

From Slate

Aye, that didn't go down too well with the Gorgie club.

From BBC