# affirmative

/əˈfɝmətɪv/ (US) · /ɐfˈɜːmətˌɪv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/affirmative
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. agreeing or saying yes

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

showing that you agree or that the answer is 'yes'.

For teachers: expressing agreement or consent; asserting that something is true or valid.

- 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'.

### 2. the word 'yes'

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a word or statement that shows agreement.

For teachers: a word or statement of agreement or assent; the 'yes' side of a debate or vote.

- 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'.

### 3. radio communication

interjection · CEFR B2 · Technical · Formal

a formal word for 'yes' used in radio or military talk.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She gave an affirmative nod to show she agreed.
- The committee provided an affirmative response to the proposal, allowing the project to move forward immediately.
- In formal debate, the speaker for the affirmative side must present a clear case for the resolution before the opposing side can offer a rebuttal.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.