affirmative

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

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

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 second is around pushing for affirmative consent and putting a control in front of people that walks people through their choices.

— casey newton, The Verge, "7 takeaways from Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance before the House," 11 Apr. 2018
Other local college officials have already integrated the idea of affirmative consent into policies and student handbooks.

— kate murphy, Cincinnati.com, "27 years ago, this sexual consent form was mocked. Now it's more relevant than ever.," 10 Apr. 2018
The lack of political will to actually enforce affirmative mechanisms in education and housing desegregation meant that residential patterns built by racist policy could not be changed.

— vann r. newkirk ii, The Atlantic, "Fear of a Black 'Messiah'," 8 Apr. 2018
No wonder the fans erupted in an affirmative roar at the end.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Yo-Yo Ma and friends prove their mastery in Brahms; MOB ventures rare Handel oratorio," 28 Feb. 2018
Their share of police officers has risen from one in ten at the turn of the century to one in three, after a temporary affirmative-action programme.

— The Economist, "Twenty years after a peace deal the mood is sour in Northern Ireland," 28 Mar. 2018
Without passage, Tribby said, the city government would shut down. DeJohn then asked for a second vote and, this time, Manno voted in the affirmative.

— jeff piorkowski/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Mayfield Heights' 2018 budget projects more spending than revenues; still leaves $8.5 million balance," 27 Mar. 2018
There were some slight infelicities of ensemble playing at the beginnings of the slow movements, but otherwise this was a performance that was eager to draw the listener into communion with Copland’s affirmative spirit.

— joshua kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, "Copland’s generous patriotism gets boost from SF Symphony," 16 Mar. 2018
In addition to answering the claims and asserting several affirmative defenses, FEG filed counterclaims against Carey and her company, Mirage Entertainment, for breach of contract and defamation.

— ashley cullins, Billboard, "Mariah Carey Countersued for $3M Over Canceled Shows in South America," 18 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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