affirmation

American  

[af-er-may-shuhn] / ˌæf ərˈmeɪ ʃən /

noun

• affirmations
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• affirmations
  plural

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

See Examples For:

affirmation affirmations

Diane Swonk, chief U.S. economist at KPMG, called the vote “a much needed affirmation of the Fed’s independence.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

The viewers’ hunger for easy comedic affirmation of human decency seems to be bottomless, so where’s the harm in going back to the original well, only this time with female athletes?

From Salon ● Sep. 10, 2026

Before the date, I was about to recite my fourth affirmation when my phone pinged.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

The breathtaking $26.5 billion listing by SK provided some much-needed affirmation to investors that the AI boom remains on course, despite lingering worries about extended valuations and eye-watering capital spending.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

“We’re good,” James said, looking to Emily for affirmation.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Mr. Schore recommends visualizations—such as imagining “your happy place” during difficult interactions—and affirmations, sometimes speaking to your own reflection.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Hopefully people will make the connection of the importance of dreaming and planning and affirmations but also the importance of letting things go, like forgiving people.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026

Positive affirmations were driving the healthcare sector higher.

From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026

The voices that filled its streets earlier this month were not only cries of protest; they were affirmations of identity.

From Salon ● Jan. 22, 2026

And—Citra couldn’t believe it—some laughter and affirmations as well.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• assertion
• confirmation