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

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

Life Boat is a simple affirmation of hope, set to a trancey house beat that shows Raye could still churn out a four-to-the-floor banger if she wanted.

From BBC • 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

“For me that was a profound affirmation for a piece of work that could easily have been very harshly and very negatively judged.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

“Yes,” Mom says, but she says it like a question, rather than an affirmation of fact.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• assertion
• confirmation