affirmation

noun

af·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌa-fər-ˈmā-shən 

1

a

: the act of affirming

nodded his head in affirmation

b

: something affirmed : a positive assertion

His memoir is a reflective affirmation of family love.

2

law : a solemn declaration made under the penalties of perjury by a person who conscientiously declines taking an oath

Synonyms

• assertion
• asseveration
• avouchment
• avowal
• claim
• declaration
• insistence
• profession
• protestation

Examples of affirmation in a Sentence

a sworn affirmation that he had never acted as a spy for the enemy

Recent Examples on the Web

The five love languages are words of affirmation, physical touch, acts of service, receiving gifts, and quality time, and the theory highlights the acts of service. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 2 Oct. 2024

Starring Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and breakout star Karla Sofía Gascón, the musical crime drama tells the story of a Mexican cartel leader pursuing gender affirmation surgery to start anew. —Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2024

Use affirmations: Practice saying kind things to yourself about your body and appearance. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2024

Getting an award like this 58 years later… this is affirmation that at least some of those records got through to folks. —Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English affirmacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French affirmation, affermacion, borrowed from Latin affirmātiōn-, affirmātiō, from affirmāre "to affirm" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing affirmation

• gender affirmation surgery
• self-affirmation