affirmation

[af-er-mey-shuh n]

See more synonyms for affirmation on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

Origin of affirmation

1535–45; < Latin affirmātiōn- (stem of affirmātiō), equivalent to affirmāt(us) (past participle of affirmāre to affirm) + -iōn- -ion

Related formsnon·af·fir·ma·tion, nouno·ver·af·fir·ma·tion, nounpre·af·fir·ma·tion, nounre·af·fir·ma·tion, nounself-af·fir·ma·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for affirmation

confirmation, assertion, okay, statement, testimonial, testimony, pronouncement, affidavit, averment, attestation, asseveration, ratification, avowal, declaration, oath, certification

Examples from the Web for affirmation

Contemporary Examples of affirmation

RAWIYA: Like you, I've been turning to Dave Chappelle for both levity and affirmation.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Protesting
Rawiya Kameir, Judnick Mayard
December 10, 2014
This book is apparently meant as an affirmation of that claim.
How Gary Hart Became the First Political Sex Scandal Casualty
Lloyd Grove
October 1, 2014
Filmmaker Lauren Greenfield examines the negative connotation of the phrase and turns it into an affirmation.
Will Ferrell Soccer Speech, Cliff Dive Slip ‘N Slides, and More Viral Videos
Alex Chancey
June 29, 2014
The man did not seem to expect such an affirmation and he appeared to be suddenly drained of his fury.
My Patrol With the NYPD’s Bill Bratton
Michael Daly
March 14, 2014
Nobody wants nor needs the “affirmation” of their baker for their wedding, or anything else.
Are Opponents of Arizona's Anti-Gay Law Eager to Deceive?
Kirsten Powers
March 3, 2014

Historical Examples of affirmation

I will test this affirmation by several and varied illustrations.
Slavery Ordained of God
Rev. Fred A. Ross, D.D.
This is the affirmation of the liberty claimed by infidelity.
Slavery Ordained of God
Rev. Fred A. Ross, D.D.
Had not every action of his been an affirmation of their relation?
The Innocent Adventuress
Mary Hastings Bradley
She looked up into the handsome face with a faint smile of affirmation.
Dr. Sevier
George W. Cable
In verbs there are five tenses, or times, expressing an action, or affirmation.
The Comic Latin Grammar
Percival Leigh

British Dictionary definitions for affirmation

affirmation

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for affirmation

early 15c., "assertion that something is true," from Old French afermacion (14c.), from Latin affirmationem (nominative affirmatio) "an affirmation, solid assurance," noun of action from past participle stem of affirmare (see affirm). In law, as the Quaker alternative to oath-taking, it is attested from 1690s.