affirmative

adjective

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af·fir·ma·tive | \ ə-ˈfər-mə-tiv

Definition of affirmative

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : asserting that the fact is so gave an affirmative answer affirmative proof

2 : positive an affirmative approach

3 : favoring or supporting a proposition or motion an affirmative vote was on the affirmative side in the debate

4 logic : asserting a predicate of a subject

affirmative

noun

Definition of affirmative (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an expression (such as the word yes) of affirmation or assent

2 : the side that upholds the proposition stated in a debate

3 logic : an affirmative (see affirmative entry 1 sense 4) proposition

in the affirmative

: with an affirmative reply : with a reply that means "yes" He answered in the affirmative.

Other Words from affirmative Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about affirmative

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Synonyms & Antonyms for affirmative

Synonyms: Noun

yea,
yes

Antonyms: Noun

Examples of affirmative in a Sentence

Adjective She gave an affirmative answer, not a negative answer. Noun we have five affirmatives and two negatives for forming the committee

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Elliott, who by law serves on the council, and two other members voted in the affirmative. — Washington Post, "Brooklyn Center fires city manager, gives mayor control of the police department following police shooting," 13 Apr. 2021 Intuitively, the answer seems (to me at least) to be in the affirmative. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes, "Temporal Issues In Alter Ego Analysis," 10 Apr. 2021 COVID-19 vaccine do's and don'ts: What to keep in mind after the shot in the arm When asked about financial support, Turk still replied in the affirmative. — Tawney Beans, The Enquirer, "COVID-19 fallout: UC Air Force ROTC faces setbacks amid pandemic," 11 Apr. 2021 At least one question is being answered in the affirmative in the early portion of the season. — John Perrotto, Forbes, "Cubs Closer Craig Kimbrel Emerges From Two-Year Funk," 9 Apr. 2021 Nelson asked Yang, who responded in the affirmative. — Washington Post, "Derek Chauvin used unauthorized neck restraint on George Floyd, training officer testifies," 6 Apr. 2021 Anything in the affirmative on those fronts, and maybe a promising debut from someone like Baumann or Lowther, might put the Orioles’ pitching staff in a far better light six months from now than anyone could imagine. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "‘All hands on deck’: Orioles’ familiar pitching challenges in unique year mean success will be simply surviving," 31 Mar. 2021 On Monday, the Arkansas Senate will vote on the Arkansas Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, a measure that would prevent trans people under age 18 from undergoing gender-affirmative treatment. — Lauren Holt, CNN, "Transgender rights in the spotlight as Arkansas and Tennessee become latest states to pass anti-trans legislation," 28 Mar. 2021 The council's Government Oversight and Audit Committee voted to recommend all nominees except Taylor, who had affirmative votes from three members and negative votes from five. — Kala Kachmar, The Courier-Journal, "2 protesters nominated for police review board 'grilled' for anti-cop social media posts," 17 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Use liberally the affirmatives Yes, ma’am and Yes, sir, having grown up under threat of a stiff switch. — Melissa Lyttle, Smithsonian, "The First Family of Rodeo," 13 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'affirmative.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for affirmative

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French affirmatif, borrowed from Late Latin affirmātīvus, from Latin affirmātus (past participle of affirmāre "to affirm") + -īvus -ive

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French affirmatif, noun derivative of affirmatif affirmative entry 1

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