affirmative

adjective af·fir·ma·tive \ ə-ˈfər-mə-tiv \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: affirmative in a Sentence

Definition of affirmative

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

—

affirmatively

adverb

- responded affirmatively

See affirmative defined for English-language learners

See affirmative defined for kids

Examples of affirmative in a Sentence

She gave an affirmative answer, not a negative answer.

Recent Examples of affirmative from the Web

The referee jogged across to consult Bahramov, who briskly nodded an affirmative.

— The Economist, "When drama and beauty turn the World Cup into art," 7 June 2018
Jones shared video of the friendly act on their Twitter account on Sunday night, where it was viewed by thousands and also shared by many police accounts as affirmative examples of good behavior on the road.

— cady lang, Time, "Truck Driver Has Gone Viral for Showing a 4-Year-Old Cyclist Respect," 6 June 2018
There are plenty of examples out there of what not to do, and patronizing texts warning of the dangers of not getting affirmative consent.

— jaya saxena, GQ, "Consent and Treating People Decently 101: A Pop Culture Syllabus," 31 May 2018
The new regulation, which comes into effect on May 25, in many cases requires companies to obtain affirmative consent to use European residents’ personal information.

— lara o’reilly, WSJ, "Google to Hold Talks With Publishers Over Their GDPR Concerns," 18 May 2018
In one panel discussion, participants showed daylight on the question of just how forcefully to confront Trump, versus making an affirmative case for the party.

— mike memoli, NBC News, "Democrats try to balance governing agenda with resistance fervor," 16 May 2018
To me, doing something additive to the DC Universe and affirmative of its ongoing legacy of superheroics with many faces, which the God of Superheroes notes in the finale, is an honorable achievement.

— graeme mcmillan, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Justice League of America' Writer Dissects a Year of Storytelling," 27 Apr. 2018
An affirmative or a negative to whether, say, Roger Stone gave Trump a heads-up about a soon-to-drop WikiLeaks trove damaging to the Hillary Clinton campaign could be invaluable to federal investigators.

— cristian farias, Daily Intelligencer, "Mueller (Quietly) Keeps Turning Up the Heat," 5 Apr. 2018
Under the new law, the EPA has to make an affirmative decision that a new chemical is safe before it can be commercialized — the crux of its new safety review process.

— suzy khimm, NBC News, "EPA eases path for new chemicals, raising fears of health hazards," 17 Jan. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of affirmative

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 4

See Words from the same year

Other Logic Terms

a posteriori, connotation, corollary, inference, mutually exclusive, paradox, postulate, syllogism

affirmative

noun

Definition of affirmative

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 ¹affirmative 4) proposition

— in the affirmative

: with an affirmative reply : with a reply that means "yes"

He answered in the affirmative.

See affirmative defined for English-language learners

Examples of affirmative in a Sentence

we have five affirmatives and two negatives for forming the committee

Origin and Etymology of affirmative

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

affirmative Synonyms

AFFIRMATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

affirmative

adjective

Definition of affirmative for English Language Learners

: saying or showing that the answer is “yes” rather than “no”

AFFIRMATIVE Defined for Kids

affirmative

adjective af·fir·ma·tive \ ə-ˈfər-mə-tiv \

Definition of affirmative for Students

1 : saying or showing that the answer is "yes"

He gave an affirmative answer.

2 : being positive or helpful

Take an affirmative approach to the problem.

affirmative

noun

Definition of affirmative for Students

1 : an expression (as the word yes) of agreement

2 : the side that supports or votes for something

Law Dictionary

affirmative

adjective af·fir·ma·tive \ ə-ˈfər-mə-tiv \

legal Definition of affirmative

1 : asserting the existence of certain facts especially in support of a cause of action

affirmative proof

2 : resulting from an intentional act

affirmative concealment

3 : involving or requiring application of effort

an affirmative duty

4 : favoring or supporting a proposition or motion

an affirmative vote

—

affirmatively

adverb

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affirmative

Definition of affirmative

affirmatively

Examples of affirmative in a Sentence

Recent Examples of affirmative from the Web

Origin and Etymology of affirmative

Other Logic Terms

affirmative

Definition of affirmative

Examples of affirmative in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of affirmative

affirmative Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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AFFIRMATIVE Defined for English Language Learners

affirmative

Definition of affirmative for English Language Learners

AFFIRMATIVE Defined for Kids

affirmative

Definition of affirmative for Students

affirmative

Definition of affirmative for Students

Law Dictionary

affirmative

legal Definition of affirmative

affirmatively

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