yay

¹

[ yey ]

interjection

, Informal.

1. (an exclamation used to express joy, excitement, etc.)

yay

²

or yea

[ yey ]

adverb

, Informal.

1. to the extent, amount, etc., indicated:

   The doll is about yay high.

yay

/ jeɪ /

interjection

1. informal.
   an exclamation indicating approval, congratulation, or triumph

Word History and Origins

Origin of yay¹

First recorded in 1960–65; perhaps alteration of yeah

Origin of yay²

Probably < yea

Word History and Origins

Origin of yay¹

C20: perhaps from yeah

Example Sentences

“Oh ... yay,” say their fan bases, whose teams are better when starting backups.

From Los Angeles Times

Ordinarily, this honor probably would pass without a thought beyond, "Yay."

From Salon

If he knew a lot was riding on his little shoulders, he didn’t show it as he appeared in the first-round ring and someone in the audience yelled, “Yay! History!”

From Seattle Times

At one point, Jurado left the room and returned with a purple-frosted Berry Chantilly cake from Whole Foods that read, “Yay Team Ysabel.”

From Los Angeles Times

The party did not hold a vote when its officers met last week, but it had initially been described to BBC News NI by one source as a "yay or nay" meeting.

From BBC