affirmation
Americannoun
-
the act or an instance of affirming; state of being affirmed.
-
the assertion that something exists or is true.
-
something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true.
-
confirmation or ratification of the truth or validity of a prior judgment, decision, etc.
-
Law. a solemn declaration accepted instead of a statement under oath.
noun
-
the act of affirming or the state of being affirmed
-
a statement of the existence or truth of something; assertion
-
law a solemn declaration permitted on grounds of conscientious objection to taking an oath
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of affirmation
First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin affirmātiōn-, stem of affirmātiō, equivalent to affirmāt(us) (past participle of affirmāre affirm ) + -iō -ion
Explanation
An affirmation is a big fat YES, an assertion that something is true. Affirmations can show up in court, or taped to the walls of people who need reassurance. In court, it's a judgment from a higher court that agrees with one from a lower one, or something a religious person who doesn't want to take an oath can use. Quakers use affirmations on the stand instead of swearing, because they always speak plainly. It means to assure, or agree, so you might find affirmations like "You're awesome!" or "Lookin' good" taped to the mirror of people who need to chin up.
Vocabulary lists containing affirmation
The Bill of Rights
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Constitution of the United States
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Devil's Arithmetic
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“To me, they gave me exactly what my Words of Affirmation love language needed to get me through some serious self-doubt and fear…and that’s all that matters,” she wrote.
From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2024
Article VI of the Constitution provides that “all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution.”
From Slate • Jan. 24, 2024
Other megaprojects include the $3.8 billion Bronzeville Lakefront project in Chicago and the proposed Affirmation Tower in Manhattan by the developer Don Peebles and the architect David Adjaye.
From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2022
Affirmation that anything is possible with perseverance, belief and hard work.
From BBC • Aug. 13, 2021
Of our Modern Metaphysics, accordingly, may not this already be said, that if they have produced no Affirmation, they have destroyed much Negation?
From A Century of English Essays An Anthology Ranging from Caxton to R. L. Stevenson & the Writers of Our Own Time by Rhys, Ernest
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
