yes

adverb \ ˈyes \

Updated on: 1 Apr 2018

Definition of yes

1 —used as a function word to express assent or agreement

are you ready? Yes, I am

2 —used as a function word usually to introduce correction or contradiction of a negative assertion or direction

don't say that! Yes, I will

3 —used as a function word to introduce a more emphatic or explicit phrase

4 —used as a function word to indicate uncertainty or polite interest or attentiveness

See yes defined for English-language learners

See yes defined for kids

Examples of yes in a Sentence

yes, I'll be ready for the test tomorrow

Recent Examples of yes from the Web

Squire, who formed Yes with singer Jon Anderson and others, died in 2015.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Yestival set for Saturday at Elgin's Festival Park," 17 Aug. 2017
Yes-style interventions can succeed elsewhere, considering that its solutions not only are difficult to implement, but, at least in the short-term, also cost more than many communities are willing or able to spend.

— amadou diallo, The Atlantic, "A Rust Belt City's School Turnaround," 18 July 2017
Though in a coma and an unresponsive state for several weeks, Ashlee could hear family members talking to her and would wiggle her foot to answer yes-and-no questions.

— robert rhoden, NOLA.com, "'She saved my life': DWI driver and crash victim find peace and a new purpose in life," 25 June 2017
None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Defaults Done — Troublesome Middle Child DEAR TROUBLESOME MIDDLE CHILD: Yes:

— carolyn hax, The Seattle Times, "Someone else’s vacation dreams don’t have to be your nightmare," 11 June 2017
And after Brownback quickly vetoed the bill and denounced the tax plan, House Speaker Ron Ryckman’s decision to vote yes on overriding the governor provided the spark needed for other conservative lawmakers to vote yes.

— hunter woodall and jonathan shorman, kansascity.com, "How a group of female lawmakers and a top Republican rolled back Brownback’s tax cuts," 8 June 2017
The TPA, which gives lawmakers a yes-or-no vote on amending trade deals, was passed amid tension over whether the U.S. should sign the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, championed by then-President Barack Obama.

— andrew mayeda, Bloomberg.com, "U.S. Set to Start Three-Month Countdown to Nafta Renegotiation," 17 May 2017
The Michigan Republican gave cover for people to switch from no to yes by extracting more financial assistance — $8 billion over five years — to help people with preexisting conditions pay for medical costs.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: 10 storylines to follow as the House votes on health care," 4 May 2017
The name Fly on the Wall Entertainment is a nod to [Big Brother], yes?

— brian porreca, Billboard, "How 'Big Brother' Producers Pulled Off an 'Unfiltered' Look at Katy Perry's Life for YouTube Live Stream," 28 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of yes

Middle English, from Old English gēse

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First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

yes Synonyms

Synonyms

all right, alright, aye (also ay), exactly, OK (or okay), okeydoke (or okeydokey), yea, yeah, yep, yo;

Antonyms

nay, no, no way, scarcely;

yes

noun

Definition of yes

plural yeses also yesses

: an affirmative reply : yea

See yes defined for English-language learners

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 of yes from the Web

Big yes to microgreens, super yes to shaved cheese, and mega-yes to cranberries.

— olivia harrison, refinery29.com, "Joanna & Chip Gaines' New Breakfast Restaurant Is Officially Open For Business," 27 Mar. 2018
By announcing his apparent decision to vote yes for the bill, Donnelly, a Democrat, broke ranks with most of his party.

— leigh hedger, Indianapolis Star, "Donnelly, Messer, Rokita donate government pay amid shutdown," 20 Jan. 2018
While the Browns hammer the idea of alignment, the fear is a room full of stubborn yes men who undo Brown's work.

— doug lesmerises, cleveland.com, "Jimmy Haslam, failed owner so far, may get John Dorsey hire right by accident: Doug Lesmerises," 8 Dec. 2017
While not an unreasonable question, the answer in this case is an unequivocal yes.

— jay willis, GQ, "The Bored Congressional Interns Editing Wikipedia at the Office Are the Weirdest Heroes of 2017," 21 Dec. 2017
Say yes to 4-7, and your roots are a touch on the red side.

— Southern Living, "Are You the South's Lucy Ricardo?," 10 Nov. 2016
Very wealthy corporate chiefs—a description that matches most of Trump’s Cabinet picks—tend to surround themselves with yes-men and aren’t accustomed to attacks in the mass media (or anyplace else).

— fred kaplan, Slate Magazine, "Question Time for Rex Tillerson," 17 Jan. 2017
But the fact that Prince William even had a yes-or-no option leads to a fascinating look at British upper class, royal tradition, and history.

— elise taylor, Vogue, "Why Prince William Doesn’t Wear a Wedding Ring, But Kate Middleton Does," 24 Oct. 2017
Getting to either a yes or a no on a rookie is better than hanging onto a maybe.

— doug lesmerises, cleveland.com, "Benching DeShone Kizer is unlike anything in recent NFL history: Doug Lesmerises," 14 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of yes

1712

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

yes Synonyms

YES Defined for English Language Learners

yes

adverb

Definition of yes for English Language Learners

—used to give a positive answer or reply to a question, request, or offer
—used to express agreement with an earlier statement or to say that statement is true
—used to introduce a statement that corrects or disagrees with an earlier negative statement