What does yays mean?
Yays is the plural form of yay, an informal exclamation used to express delight, approval, or triumph. As a noun, yays means a collection of such celebratory cries, as when a crowd erupts after a favorite wins a contest. The expression is especially associated with North American informal speech, although it is now widely understood. Its sound is more emphatic than the affirmation "yes" and more specific than a general cheer: a yay signals visible happiness or victory rather than simply encouraging someone. The plural yays is commonly used after phrases like "the crowd broke into," with the cries treated as a unified outburst. In writing and conversation, yays carries a light, celebratory tone and is generally avoided in formal registers. Although the precise origin of yay is uncertain, the word is now an established part of contemporary English and is especially useful for describing spontaneous public rejoicing.
plural nounA set of enthusiastic cries of joy, triumph, or approval; the plural of the interjection "yay".
- Enthusiastic cries of joy, triumph, or approval, especially those made collectively by a crowd.
"The audience broke into yays when the winner was announced."
"The crowd erupted in yays when the underdog secured the victory."
"Her announcement was greeted with yays and enthusiastic applause."
"Yays" is already the standard plural of yay; use "a yay" for a single cry.
"The spectators responded with yays and applause."
Yays turns one triumphant "yay" into a whole roomful of cheering.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of yays
The base word yay is an English informal exclamation of delight, approval, or triumph. Its precise origin is uncertain, although it has often been related to yea and may reflect older celebratory expressions. Yays is a regular English plural formed by adding -s to yay; it has no separate borrowed or irregular form.
Related word forms
How yays is actually used
The register is informal and strongly expressive. The plural spelling conventionally indicates multiple cries or a collective celebratory sound rather than one interjection.
Easily confused with yays
"Yay" is the singular interjection or a single celebratory cry, whereas "yays" is the plural form.
"Yes" expresses affirmation, while "yays" expresses enthusiasm, joy, or triumph.