affirmation

American  

[af-er-mey-shuhn] / ˌæf ərˈmeɪ ʃən /

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.

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affirmation British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

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.

Example Sentences

It makes compromise difficult and disagreement suspect, shifting the goal from persuasion to affirmation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

“This decision represents another important affirmation of the rule of law and provides clarity for businesses that have borne the financial burden of these unlawful tariffs,” Woldenberg said.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

I watched one, and another, nodding along to the digital daily affirmation.

From Slate • Feb. 15, 2026

“This verdict is a powerful affirmation that constitutional rights do not stop at the end of a driveway,” Diggs said in the written statement.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

She often told an outward lie, willing herself to be peppy in church, at school, using positive affirmation, which turns out not to be at all the same thing as telling the truth.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Related Words

• assertion
• confirmation