Word
affirmative
Phoneticsaf·fir·ma·tive, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈfɝmətɪv/
UK/ɐfˈɜːmətˌɪv/
Definitions
01agreeing or saying yes
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
adj. showing that you agree or that the answer is 'yes'.
adj. expressing agreement or consent; asserting that something is true or valid.
Español:positivo
“The committee gave an affirmative nod to the new proposal.”
“The board provided an affirmative response to the merger inquiry, signaling their willingness to proceed with formal negotiations.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'affirmative reply' or 'affirmative action'.
Antonyms
02the word 'yes'
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Formal
n. a word or statement that shows agreement.
n. a word or statement of agreement or assent; the 'yes' side of a debate or vote.
Español:afirmativa
“She answered in the affirmative when asked if she wanted the job.”
“When the witness answered in the affirmative, the prosecutor moved quickly to the next line of questioning.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'in the affirmative'.
Antonyms
03radio communication
B2 · Upper Intermediate Sports Technical · Formal
interj. a formal word for 'yes' used in radio or military talk.
interj. a standard response in radio-telephony and military communications used to confirm a message or answer 'yes'.
“Affirmative, we have reached the target location.”
“The pilot responded with a crisp 'affirmative' before adjusting the aircraft's heading as instructed by air traffic control.”
Teaching tip
In everyday conversation, using this sounds overly robotic or military; stick to 'yes' or 'sure' unless you are in a formal radio context.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“She wrote in The Stanford Daily about an incident in which an acquaintance wondered aloud whether Gebru was “actually smart” or had been admitted due to affirmative action.” Etymology
From Middle English affirmative, affirmatyve, from Old French affirmatif, from Latin affirmativus, from affirmare (“to assert”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/affirmative
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0