yea

Yea is an old way of saying yes. It’s especially used as a way of voting yes—the opposite of voting nay (no).

In this sense, it can be used as a noun meaning a vote of yes, as in There are six yeas and three nays—the yeas have it. 

Based on its use in voting, yea is sometimes used in the informal question Yea or nay? (meaning Yes or no?).

Yea is also found in old literature as a way of saying indeed or truly, as in Yea, he hath prevailed. 

Yea can also be used in expressions like about yea tall, meaning “about this tall.” When it’s used in this way, yea refers to the amount being indicated, such as by holding one’s hand at a certain height to indicate how tall something is. However, this sense of yea is more commonly spelled yay.

Although the word yeah looks very similar to (and is often misspelled as) yea (and, yea, the two are related), yea in fact rhymes with its opposite, nay. This means it’s pronounced exactly like another word it’s confused with: yay (which is most commonly used as a celebratory exclamation).

Example: Yay! The proposal passed unanimously! Everyone voted yea!

The first records of the word yea in English come from before the 900s. It comes from the Old English word gēa, which is related to words in many other languages that refer to an affirmative response—yes. Yea, the word yes is probably based on the same root.

When yea is used to mean “indeed” or “truly,” it’s most often found in old literature, such as in the King James translation of the Bible.

The most popular use of yea is in voting. In the U.S. Congress, yea and nay are used to vote yes and no. In U.K. Parliament, the equivalent of yea is aye—which can be used as a noun in the same way that yea can, as in The ayes have it. This use of yea and nay became familiar enough that it came to be used in informal conversation to ask about someone’s opinion or preference, as in Should I get these shoes—yea or nay?

What are some other forms related to yea?

• yeas (plural)

What are some synonyms for yea?

• yes
• aye
• affirmative vote
• indeed
• truly

What are some words that share a root or word element with yea? 

• yes
• yeah

What are some words that often get used in discussing yea?

• affirmative
• vote
• nay
• Congress

What are some words yea may be commonly confused with?

• yay
• yeah

Yea is most commonly used in the context of voting or situations that approximate voting, especially in the question Yea or nay?

Vote on this bill to bring call center jobs back to the US. Yea? Nay? Let your rep know! http://t.co/ikX03M7di3 #congress #jobs #politics

— Countable (@countable) April 23, 2014

These Gucci sunglasses with dangling charms: YEA or NAY?https://t.co/E3rmlQ5LPa

— Tom and Lorenzo (@tomandlorenzo) May 12, 2020

Yea, is’t come to this?

— William Shakespeare (@Wwm_Shakespeare) May 6, 2020

Is yea used correctly in the following sentence?

This shirt or that shirt: yea or nay?