adj
Uncommon
affirmative
uh-FUR-muh-tihv
Affirmative (adj) means expressing agreement, confirmation, or a "yes" answer. Example: “She gave an affirmative nod and signed the form.”
adj
1
Expressing agreement, confirmation, or a "yes" answer.
"She gave an affirmative nod and signed the form."
"The committee’s response was affirmative."
intj
1
Yes; used especially in formal, military, or technical contexts to confirm something.
""Do you copy?" "Affirmative.""
How to use affirmative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal or emphatic way of saying "yes" or "confirmed."
When to use it
The interjection "affirmative" sounds formal or military — in casual speech, people just say "yes."
Common pairings
an affirmative answer
respond in the affirmative
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Word forms
- Plural
- affirmatives
- Comparative
- more affirmative
- Superlative
- most affirmative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She gave an _____ nod and signed the form.
Etymology
From Old French affirmatif, from Latin affirmativus, from affirmare, "to assert."
Synonyms
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yes
confirmatory
assenting
agreeing
affirmatory
plausive
approbative
approving
approbatory
optimistic
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for affirmative
See all rhymes for affirmative →Frequently asked questions
What does “affirmative” mean?
The word “affirmative” means expressing agreement, confirmation, or a "yes" answer. In plain terms, a formal or emphatic way of saying "yes" or "confirmed.".
How do you pronounce “affirmative”?
“Affirmative” is pronounced uh-FUR-muh-tihv (/əˈfɝməɾɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “affirmative” in a sentence?
Here is “affirmative” used in a sentence: “She gave an affirmative nod and signed the form.”
What part of speech is “affirmative”?
Depending on how it is used, “affirmative” can be an adjective and an intj.
Where does the word “affirmative” come from?
The word “affirmative” comes from Latin. From Old French affirmatif, from Latin affirmativus, from affirmare, "to assert.".
Is “affirmative” a common word?
“Affirmative” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “affirmative” have?
“Affirmative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: expressing agreement, confirmation, or a "yes" answer.
What is the difference between affirmative and positive?
"Affirmative" specifically means expressing agreement or a "yes" answer, often in formal or procedural contexts, while "positive" is broader and can describe optimism, certainty, or a favorable attitude generally. "Affirmative" is the standard term for confirming a request or question.
When is affirmative used instead of yes?
"Affirmative" is typically used in formal, military, technical, or radio communication contexts to confirm something clearly, such as "affirmative, proceeding as planned," whereas "yes" is used in everyday speech.
Is affirmative a noun or an adjective?
"Affirmative" functions primarily as an adjective, as in "an affirmative answer," and as an interjection meaning "yes," as in "Affirmative, over." It is not typically used as a plain noun outside of set phrases.
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