yes

adverb \ ˈyes \

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
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
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

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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

Related Words

absolutely, assuredly, certainly, indeed, indisputably, positively, undoubtedly, unquestionably

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

To me, that question is a lot easier to answer with an unequivocal yes.

— nick bilton, vanityfair.com, "Can Silicon Valley Disrupt Its Neo-Nazi Problem?," 17 Aug. 2017
The answer is far more complicated than a simple yes or no.

— daniel rapaport, SI.com, "John Wall on Kyrie Irving's Trade Request: "That was Crazy to Me"," 5 Aug. 2017
The vote total: 515 yes to 474 no, according to a spokesman for the Detroit Federation of Teachers.

— lori higgins, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit teachers ratify contract, will get 7% raise," 27 July 2017
Cleansing wipes To keep clean and shine free on the go, Barrymore reaches for Yes To Tomatoes Detoxifying Charcoal Facial Wipes ($9) and Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Oil Controlling Towelettes ($15 for two packs).

— macaela mackenzie, Allure, "All The Beauty Products Drew Barrymore Stans For," 20 July 2017
SHAKE UP YOUR SHOWER Shake up your shower routine with the new Yes to Shower Cocktail Body Washes.

— atlanta life, ajc, "Eyecatchers," 18 July 2017
Pai did not give a definitive yes-or-no answer to the question of whether the number of pro-net neutrality comments would make any difference in his decision.

— jon brodkin, Ars Technica, "Ajit Pai not concerned about number of pro-net neutrality comments," 14 July 2017
If moderates won’t take yes for an answer, Senate leaders could engage in a little more give and take by tapping Obamacare’s exchange subsidies.

— michael f. cannon, National Review, "Bringing Senate Conservatives and Moderates Together on Health-Care Reform," 10 July 2017
With Democrats arrayed unanimously against him, McConnell needs at least 50 of the 52 GOP senators to vote yes or witness the mortifying crumpling of his party’s high-decibel pledge to uproot Obama’s law.

— alan fram, The Seattle Times, "Battles over health care, budget await Congress’ return," 10 July 2017

First Known Use of yes

1712

yes Synonyms

Synonyms

affirmative, yea

Antonyms

nay, negative, no, non placet

Related Words

pro; acceptance, accession, acquiescence, agreement, approval, assent, concurrence, consent, permission, sanction

Near Antonyms

con; blackball, veto; declination, denial, disallowance, negation, refusal, rejection, turndown

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

yes

noun

Definition of yes for English Language Learners

: a positive reply : an answer of yes

YES Defined for Kids

yes

adverb \ ˈyes \

Definition of yes for Students

1 —used to express agreement in answer to a question, request, or offer or with an earlier statement

“Are you ready?” “Yes, I am.”

Yes, I think you are right.

2 —used to introduce a phrase with greater emphasis or clearness

We are glad, yes, very glad to see you!

3 —used to show uncertainty or polite interest

Yes? Who's there?

Yes, what can I do for you?

4 —used to indicate excitement

Yes! We won!

yes

noun

Definition of yes for Students

:a positive reply

I received a yes to my request.

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