affirmation
Americannoun
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the act or an instance of affirming; state of being affirmed.
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the assertion that something exists or is true.
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something that is affirmed; a statement or proposition that is declared to be true.
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confirmation or ratification of the truth or validity of a prior judgment, decision, etc.
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Law. a solemn declaration accepted instead of a statement under oath.
noun
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the act of affirming or the state of being affirmed
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a statement of the existence or truth of something; assertion
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law a solemn declaration permitted on grounds of conscientious objection to taking an oath
Other Word 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
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The Constitution of the United States
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The Devil's Arithmetic
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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.
They are, at their best, an affirmation of meaning and sacrifice.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
Georgiou’s mother, who didn’t speak much English, nodded in affirmation.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
During those beginning months, you are still in “arrival mode” and looking everywhere for affirmation that you made the right decision.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 24, 2026
"All Rise has that triumphant feeling and affirmation of our common humanity in spite of the tribulations and pitfalls."
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026
Ophelia thought that Paul’s personality was built of oppositions—a need for frenzied activity that verged, she thought, on desperation, and a towering self-confidence oddly combined with a hunger for affirmation.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
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.
