Definition of AFFIRMATIVE (original) (raw)
1
: asserting that the fact is so
gave an affirmative answer
3
: favoring or supporting a proposition or motion
was on the affirmative side in the debate
4
logic : asserting a predicate of a subject
1
: an expression (such as the word yes) of affirmation or assent
2
: the side that upholds the proposition stated in a debate
Phrases
in the affirmative
: with an affirmative reply : with a reply that means "yes"
He answered in the affirmative.
Synonyms
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But a negative signal against the incumbent party, against a status quo that has left people behind, etc. is not an affirmative signal for everything the opposition is offering. —
ABC News, 24 Jan. 2025 Asked whether society has gone too far in accommodating transgender people, 49% answered in the affirmative. —Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Jan. 2025
The weather might not have been the best, but for anyone looking for reassurance that Mardi Gras was going to stay weird in 2023, the evening provided an energetic affirmative. —al, 11 Feb. 2023 The answer, to my mind, is a resounding affirmative. —Arthur Knight, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for affirmative 
Word History
Etymology
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
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of affirmative was in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near affirmative
Cite this Entry
“Affirmative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affirmative. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 2 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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