yes
yehs
Yes (particle) means used to show agreement, acceptance, or confirmation. Example: “Do you want more coffee?" "Yes, please.”
particle
1
Used to show agreement, acceptance, or confirmation.
""Do you want more coffee?" "Yes, please.""
"She said yes to his proposal."
"Yes, I can pick you up from the station at six."
intj
1
An exclamation of pleasure, triumph, or approval.
""Yes!" he shouted as the last-second shot went in."
"Yes! We finally got tickets for the concert!"
"Yes, that's exactly what I was hoping you would say!"
noun
1
An affirmative answer or vote.
"The motion passed with 40 yeses and 2 noes."
"Every yes from the committee brought the project one step closer to approval."
"She was nervous, but she needed only one yes to get the job."
verb
1
To agree with or flatter someone by constantly agreeing with them.
"Stop yessing me and tell me what you really think of the plan."
"Everyone in the office was tired of colleagues who yessed the director all day."
"He just yesses the boss instead of pushing back with real feedback."
How to use yes
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe basic word for agreeing, confirming, or accepting something.
Common pairings
say yes
yes or no
yes-man
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Word forms
- Plural
- yeses, yesses
- Third person singular
- yeses, yesses
- Past tense
- yessed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
"Do you want more coffee?" "_____, please."
Etymology
From Old English gise, meaning roughly "may it be so" or "certainly" — from the same root as "yea".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for yes
See all rhymes for yes →Frequently asked questions
What does “yes” mean?
The word “yes” means used to show agreement, acceptance, or confirmation. In plain terms, the basic word for agreeing, confirming, or accepting something.
How do you pronounce “yes”?
“Yes” is pronounced yehs (/jɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “yes” in a sentence?
Here is “yes” used in a sentence: “"Do you want more coffee?" "Yes, please.".”
What is another word for “yes”?
Words with a similar meaning to “yes” include arr, ay, aye, yea, yassuh and Nautical.
What is the opposite of “yes”?
The opposite of “yes” — its antonyms — are no, Nautical, military, telecommunications: negative and nay.
What part of speech is “yes”?
Depending on how it is used, “yes” can be a particle, an intj, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “yes” come from?
The word “yes” comes from Old English. From Old English gise, meaning roughly "may it be so" or "certainly" — from the same root as "yea".
Is “yes” a common word?
“Yes” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between "yes" and "yeah"?
"Yeah" is the relaxed, informal spoken form of "yes." Use "yes" in formal writing, interviews, and any situation that needs clear confirmation; "yeah" belongs in casual conversation and informal messages.
Do you put a comma after "yes" in a sentence?
When "yes" starts a reply, follow it with a comma: "Yes, I agree." When it stands alone as an exclamation of pleasure or triumph, use an exclamation mark: "Yes!"
Can "yes" be used as a noun?
Yes — "a yes" means an affirmative answer, acceptance, or vote: "the proposal received a firm yes." The plural is usually spelled "yeses," though "yesses" also appears.
What is the difference between "yes" and "aye"?
Both signal agreement or confirmation, but "aye" is dialectal and traditional — common in Scotland and northern England, and used in formal voting ("all those in favour say aye"). "Yes" is the standard form in general English.
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