yes

¹yes

adverb \ˈyes\

Definition of YES

1

—used as a function word to express assent or agreement <are you ready? Yes, I am>

2

—used as a function word usually to introduce correction or contradiction of a negative assertion or direction <don't say that! Yes, I will>

3

—used as a function word to introduce a more emphatic or explicit phrase

4

—used as a function word to indicate uncertainty or polite interest or attentiveness

Examples of YES

1. <yes, I'll be ready for the test tomorrow>

Origin of YES

Middle English, from Old English gēse

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to YES

Synonyms

all right, alright, aye (also ay), exactly, OK (or okay), okeydoke (or okeydokey), yea, yeah, yep, yo

Antonyms

nay, no, no way, scarcely

Related Words

absolutely, assuredly, certainly, indeed, indisputably, positively, undoubtedly, unquestionably

Rhymes with YES

bless, cess, chess, cress, dress, ess, fess, guess, jess, less, loess, mess, ness, press, s, stress, tress

²yes

noun

Definition of YES

: an affirmative reply : yea

Examples of YES

1. We need a yes to go ahead with the project.
2. She answered all the questions with yeses and nos.

First Known Use of YES

1712

Related to YES

Synonyms

affirmative, yea

Antonyms

nay, negative, no, non placet

Related Words

pro; acceptance, accession, acquiescence, agreement, approval, assent, concurrence, consent, permission, sanction

Near Antonyms

con; blackball, veto; declination, denial, disallowance, negation, refusal, rejection, turndown