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affirmative

adjective
af·​fir·​ma·​tive | \ ə-ˈfər-mə-tiv How to pronounce affirmative (audio) \

Definition of affirmative

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

affirmative

noun

Definition of affirmative (Entry 2 of 2)

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 affirmative entry 1 sense 4) proposition
in the affirmative
: with an affirmative reply : with a reply that means "yes" He answered in the affirmative.
Other Words from affirmative Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about affirmative

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Other Words from affirmative

Adjective

affirmatively adverb
responded affirmatively

Synonyms & Antonyms for affirmative

Synonyms: Noun

yea, yes

Antonyms: Noun

nay, negative, no, non placet

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Examples of affirmative in a Sentence

Adjective

 She gave an affirmative answer, not a negative answer.

Noun

 we have five affirmatives and two negatives for forming the committee

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

 So Google’s fix is to approach people on the streets, pay them, and get affirmative consent for each scan. — Dieter Bohn, The Verge, "Google’s ‘field research’ offered people $5 to scan their faces for the Pixel 4," 29 July 2019 Responding in the affirmative is an obligation for the guest to attend, and as that part of the contract has been repeatedly violated, Miss Manners will permit you to amend yours. — Judith Martin, The Mercury News, "Miss Manners: She humiliated me by implying I’m poor," 26 July 2019

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.

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First Known Use of affirmative

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for affirmative

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French affirmatif, borrowed from Late Latin affirmātīvus, from Latin affirmātus (past participle of affirmāre "to affirm") + -īvus -ive

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French affirmatif, noun derivative of affirmatif affirmative entry 1

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More Definitions for affirmative

affirmative

adjective
How to pronounce affirmative (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of affirmative

formal : saying or showing that the answer is "yes" rather than "no"

See the full definition for affirmative in the English Language Learners Dictionary

affirmative

adjective
af·​fir·​ma·​tive | \ ə-ˈfər-mə-tiv How to pronounce affirmative (audio) \

Kids Definition of affirmative

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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

Kids Definition of affirmative (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an expression (as the word yes) of agreement
2 : the side that supports or votes for something

affirmative

adjective
af·​fir·​ma·​tive <

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