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
Synonyms
Examples of yes in a Sentence
Adverb
yes, I'll be ready for the test tomorrow
Noun
We need a yes to go ahead with the project.
She answered all the questions with yeses and nos.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kathleen Hou, ELLE, 9 Sep. 2023
The short answer is yes: Babies can and do hiccup in the womb.
—Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 10 Aug. 2023
The answer to that is yes, given the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2023
Second, out of 35 people who responded yes, two canceled the night before, two canceled two minutes before the party started, and six were no-shows.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 15 July 2023
The short answer is yes, bass do have teeth—lots of them in fact.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 12 July 2023
The short answer, from a legal perspective, is yes, according to experts.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 9 June 2023
The answer is yes: the HBO show’s 25th anniversary experience in New York City, as put on by Max, to celebrate Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Samantha and — possibly most important — all of their stunning clothes.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 8 June 2023
The 21 other Democrats voted yes; all 18 Republicans voted no.
—Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 30 May 2023
Stephen Means, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2023
One of the three yes votes was cast by Commissioner John Reynolds, who served as head lawyer at Cruise before appointed to the CPUC by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2023
There were 3,069 yes votes (65.96%) and 1,584 no votes (34.04%).
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 9 Aug. 2023
The positive feedback was backed up with four yeses.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 19 July 2023
Now 42% Off $21 at Amazon The buttons and two-tone hue on this raglan t-shirt are both major yeses.
—Emily Shiffer, Women's Health, 25 July 2023
Klum and Mandel each gave Enishi a yes vote, while Cowell gave the illusionist a no.
—USA TODAY, 19 July 2023
All that’s needed is a ‘yes’ vote of 24 owners, and Snyder will be gone from the NFL.
—Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2023
The short answer is yes – candlestick analysis can be instrumental when predicting the next move in cryptocurrency prices.
—Bazoom Group, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 July 2023
See More
Adverb
The unifying idea of the beauty design for his show was yes, pink!
—Kathleen Hou, ELLE, 9 Sep. 2023
The short answer is yes: Babies can and do hiccup in the womb.
—Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 10 Aug. 2023
The answer to that is yes, given the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
—Susan Page, USA TODAY, 2 Aug. 2023
Second, out of 35 people who responded yes, two canceled the night before, two canceled two minutes before the party started, and six were no-shows.
—Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 15 July 2023
The short answer is yes, bass do have teeth—lots of them in fact.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 12 July 2023
The short answer, from a legal perspective, is yes, according to experts.
—Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 9 June 2023
The answer is yes: the HBO show’s 25th anniversary experience in New York City, as put on by Max, to celebrate Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Samantha and — possibly most important — all of their stunning clothes.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 8 June 2023
The 21 other Democrats voted yes; all 18 Republicans voted no.
—Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 30 May 2023
Noun
Larry Johnson’s group used a pass-happy Western Kentucky offense to emphatically answer the question of whether or not OSU’s pass rush existed with a yes.
—Stephen Means, cleveland, 16 Sep. 2023
One of the three yes votes was cast by Commissioner John Reynolds, who served as head lawyer at Cruise before appointed to the CPUC by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
—Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2023
There were 3,069 yes votes (65.96%) and 1,584 no votes (34.04%).
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 9 Aug. 2023
The positive feedback was backed up with four yeses.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 19 July 2023
Now 42% Off $21 at Amazon The buttons and two-tone hue on this raglan t-shirt are both major yeses.
—Emily Shiffer, Women's Health, 25 July 2023
Klum and Mandel each gave Enishi a yes vote, while Cowell gave the illusionist a no.
—USA TODAY, 19 July 2023
All that’s needed is a ‘yes’ vote of 24 owners, and Snyder will be gone from the NFL.
—Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 15 July 2023
The short answer is yes – candlestick analysis can be instrumental when predicting the next move in cryptocurrency prices.
—Bazoom Group, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yes.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing yes
Dictionary Entries Near yes
Cite this Entry
“Yes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yes. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
yes
1 of 2 adverb
ˈyes 
ˈyeu̇,
ˈe-(y)ə,
are three of many variants
1
—used to express agreement
are you ready? Yes, I am
2
—used to correct or contradict what another has said
don't say that! Yes, I will
3
—used to introduce a phrase with greater force or clearness
we are glad, yes, very glad to see you
4
—used to show interest or attention
yes, what is it you want
yes
2 of 2 nounˈyes
: a positive reply
More from Merriam-Webster on yes
Nglish: Translation of yes for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of yes for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yes
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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