The difference between Nay and Yea

When used as interjections, nay means no, whereas yea means yeah, right, yes.

When used as nouns, nay means a vote against, whereas yea means an affirmative vote, usually but not always spoken.

When used as conjunctions, nay means or even, or more like, or should i say. introduces a stronger and more appropriate expression than the preceding one, whereas yea means or even, or more like, nay.


Nay is also verb with the meaning: to refuse.

Nay is also adjective with the meaning: nary.

Yea is also adverb with the meaning: yes.

check bellow for the other definitions of Nay and Yea

  1. Nay as a noun:

    A vote against.

    Examples:

    "I vote nay, even though the motion is popular, because I would rather be right than popular."

  2. Nay as a noun:

    A person who voted against.

    Examples:

    "The vote is 4 in favor and 20 opposed; the nays have it."

  3. Nay as a noun (archaic):

    A denial; a refusal. [https://books.google.com/books?id=uysQzJy9IwMC&pg=PA818&dq=%22word+nay+a+denial+refusal%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwij_5CHi-3cAhWJ2FMKHWjCDdMQ6AEIJzAA#v=onepage&q=%22word%20nay%20a%20denial%20refusal%22&f=false]

  1. Nay as a verb (obsolete):

    To refuse.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Holinshed"

  1. Nay as an adjective:

    nary

  1. Yea as an adverb (dated):

    Yes.

  2. Yea as an adverb:

    Thus, so (now often accompanied by a hand gesture).

    Examples:

    "The pony was yea high."

  1. Yea as a noun:

    An affirmative vote, usually but not always spoken

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