yes

noun

plural yeses also yesses

: an affirmative reply : yea

Synonyms of yes

• affirmative

Examples of yes in a Sentence

We need a yes to go ahead with the project.

She answered all the questions with yeses and nos.

Recent Examples on the Web

For the past two months, the answer has been a resounding yes. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 5 June 2026

While that effort went down with a wider margin, 84 nos and 17 yeses, a dozen Republicans supported it, revealing the extent of unease over the issue within the Senate GOP conference. —Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Not every opportunity that comes through the door deserves a yes. —Jasmine Browley, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

The musician answered with a yes, which was immediately followed by, well, more screams. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1712, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing yes

• say yes
• say yes to
• yes and no
• yes, indeed
• yes-man
• yes, thanks
• yes, yes

Rhymes for yes

• bless
• chess
• cress
• dress
• es
• ess
• esse
• fess
• guess
• jess
• less
• lesse

Kids Definition

yes

1 of 2 adverb

ˈyes 

ˈyeu̇, 

ˈe-(y)ə

are three of many variants

1

—used to express agreement

are you ready? Yes, I am

2

—used to correct or contradict what another has said

don't say that! Yes, I will

3

—used to introduce a phrase with greater force or clearness

we are glad, yes, very glad to see you

4

—used to show interest or attention

yes, what is it you want

yes

2 of 2 noun

ˈyes

: a positive reply