affirmation

[af-er-mey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or an instance of affirming; state of being affirmed.

2. the assertion that something exists or is true.

3. something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true.

4. confirmation or ratification of the truth or validity of a prior judgment, decision, etc.

5. Law.,  a solemn declaration accepted instead of a statement under oath.

affirmation

/ ˌæfəˈmeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of affirming or the state of being affirmed

2. a statement of the existence or truth of something; assertion

3. law a solemn declaration permitted on grounds of conscientious objection to taking an oath

Other Word Forms

• nonaffirmation noun
• overaffirmation noun
• preaffirmation noun
• reaffirmation noun
• self-affirmation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of affirmation¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin affirmātiōn-, stem of affirmātiō, equivalent to affirmāt(us) (past participle of affirmāre affirm ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

When Arisu reveals that he’s thinking of a name for his child, Chishiya only nods in affirmation, but it’s a good reminder that he had once devoted his profession to saving children’s lives.

From Salon

Green Party MP Ellie Chowns called the move "long overdue" and "a vital affirmation of Palestinian dignity and rights after decades of dispossession and suffering".

From BBC

She spends her morning crunching instant coffee granules, repeating Snoop Dogg’s daily affirmations, which she’s translated into Czech, and trying on outfits.

From Los Angeles Times

Take a closer look, and you see there are hundreds of motivational quotes and personal affirmations.

From BBC

Between magazine clippings and scribbled affirmations, Brink sees both the grand arc and the small vows that tether her: to show up as a teammate, a daughter and a partner.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assertion 
• confirmation