yes

1 of 2

adverb

ˈyes 

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

yes

2 of 2

noun

plural yeses also yesses

: an affirmative reply : yea

Synonyms

Adverb

• okay
• yeah
• OK
• alright

Noun

• affirmative

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

Adverb

Of the 83 senators submitting votes at the June meeting, 58% voted yes, 35% voted no and 7% abstained, according to The Denver Clarion, DU’s student newspaper. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Clearly, the answer is yes, given how audiences have flocked to similar adaptations. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025

Noun

With frontman Girish Pradhan commanding the stage, the band’s charisma and precision lit up the room and earned them a unanimous four yeses from the judges — Sofia Vergara, Simon Cowell, Mel B, and Howie Mandel. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 June 2025

Eventually, one of those yeses came: a role in the upcoming second season of Nine Perfect Strangers, Hulu‘s adaptation of the Liane Moriarty novel, now headed to the Alps for its latest psychedelic retreat. —Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English, from Old English gēse

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1712, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing yes

• say yes
• say yes to
• yes and no
• yes, indeed
• yes-man
• yes, thanks
• yes, yes

Rhymes for yes

• bless
• chess
• cress
• dress
• es
• ess
• esse
• fess
• guess
• jess
• less
• lesse

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 noun

ˈyes

: a positive reply