What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Jay vs Yay - What's the difference?

jay | yay |

As nouns the difference between jay and yay

is that jay is any one of the numerous species of birds belonging to several genera within the family Corvidae, including Garrulus, Cyanocitta, allied to the crows, but smaller, more graceful in form, often handsomely colored, usually having a crest, and often noisy while yay is the name of the letter for the y sound in Pitman shorthand.

As a proper noun Jay

is a nickname for James, Jason, or for any male name beginning with a "J"; also used as a formal given name.

As an interjection yay is

alternative form of lang=en yes.

As an adverb yay is

so, this (accompanied by a hand gesture.

jay

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) jay, from (etyl) jai . More at (l).

Noun

(en noun)
  • Any one of the numerous species of birds belonging to several genera within the family Corvidae, including Garrulus'', ''Cyanocitta , allied to the crows, but smaller, more graceful in form, often handsomely colored, usually having a crest, and often noisy.
  • Other birds of similar appearance and behavior.
  • (archaic) A dull or ignorant person.
  • (slang) A marijuana cigarette; a joint.
  • * 2009 , (Caitlin Moran), The Times , 23 Mar 2009:
    • Although sympathetic, my main reaction was to think: “Some people can handle it, and some people can’t,” and then smugly light up a big fat jay .
    Synonyms
    * (bird) Jenny jay, jay pie, k, kae (UK); bluejay, whisky jack (US)
    Hyponyms
    * (bird) Old World jay, gray jay, American jay
    See also
    * (projectlink) * (Corvidae)
    Derived terms
    * blue jay, bluejay * Canada jay * California jay * Florida jay * green jay * jay thrush * jaywalker

    Etymology 2

    Respelling of the letter .

    Noun

    (en noun)
    • See also
    *
    Derived terms
    * deejay * jaycee

    References

    *

    yay

    English

    Alternative forms

    * yea

    Etymology 1

    Alteration of . More at (l).

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • (colloquial) (yes).
  • (colloquial)
    • Yay! I have finally finished my work!
    Synonyms
    * (an expression of happiness) hooray
    Derived terms
    * yayness

    Adverb

    (-)
  • (chiefly, US) so, this (accompanied by a hand gesture)
    • The pony was yay high.

    Alternative forms

    * yea

    See also

    * nay

    Etymology 2

    : From the sound it represents, by analogy with the other palatal letters chay'' and ''jay .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The name of the letter for the y sound in Pitman shorthand.
    • Related terms
    * wye, the name of the Latin letter for this sound

    Etymology 3

    From (etyl) llello.

    Noun

    (-)
  • (US, slang) Cocaine.
  • * 2006 , " They Shootin'", Vibe , December 2006:
    • In Billy Corben's engrossing new documentary, Cocaine Cowboys (Magnolia Pictures), self-described "assassin" Jorge "Rivi" Ayala (among others) give up the goods on Miami's explosive early '80s yay trade.
  • * 2009 , Tyrone Pierson, Murder in the Moonlight , AuthorHouse (2009), ISBN 9781438965154, page 339:
    • I'm in charge of a whole city block, and I always wear gloves when I touch the yay , cuz traces of cocaine show up on my u. a., when I touch it with my bare hands.
  • * 2012 , :
    • I don't do yay , but if you want to, fine
    Synonyms
    * See also . English palindromes ----