affirmative
[uh-fur-muh-tiv]
Show More
- something that affirms or asserts; a positive statement or proposition; affirmation.
- a reply indicating assent, as Yes or I do.
- a manner or mode that indicates assent: a reply in the affirmative.
- the side, as in a debate, that affirms or defends a statement that the opposite side denies or attacks: to speak for the affirmative.
Show More
- (used to indicate agreement, assent, etc.): “Is this the right way to Lake George?” “Affirmative.”
Show More
Origin of affirmative
1400–50; < Latin affirmātīvus, equivalent to affirmāt- (see affirmation) + -īvus -ive; replacing late Middle English affirmatyff < Middle French < Latin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for affirmative
Contemporary Examples
His was one of six votes against the day, which received 90 votes in the affirmative.
In another unusual move, the grand jury considered not only the basic elements of the crime, but also affirmative defenses.
A sizable number of Asian Americans feel that affirmative action, in college admissions or elsewhere, has hurt them personally.
And Derbyshire “always assume[s] that any black person in a well-paid position is an Affirmative Action hire.”
Politically, witness the increasing popularity of affirmative action based on class rather than race.
Historical Examples
Again, the girl made her formal response in the affirmative, then left the room.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
I cannot reply definitely in the affirmative to the question.
Camps, Quarters and Casual PlacesArchibald Forbes
He nodded, as she seemed to expect an answer in the affirmative.
Little DorritCharles Dickens
Though this history has its opinion on that point too, and decidedly in the affirmative.
Little DorritCharles Dickens
Being then asked if he had any inclination to eat, he answered in the affirmative.
Joseph Andrews Vol. 1Henry Fielding
affirmative
- confirming or asserting something as true or validan affirmative statement
- indicating agreement or assentan affirmative answer
- logic
- (of a categorial proposition) affirming the satisfaction by the subject of the predicate, as in all birds have feathers; some men are married
- not containing negationCompare negative (def. 12)
Show More
- a positive assertion
- a word or phrase stating agreement or assent, such as yes (esp in the phrase answer in the affirmative)
- logic an affirmative proposition
- the affirmative mainly US and Canadian the side in a debate that supports the proposition
Show More
- military a signal codeword used to express assent or confirmation
Show More
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 affirmative
adj.
"answering 'yes,'" mid-15c., from use in logic; from Middle French affirmatif (13c.), from Latin affirmativus, from affirmat-, past participle stem of affirmare (see affirm). As a noun from early 15c. Affirmative action "positive or corrective effort by employers to prevent discrimination in hiring or promotion" is attested from 1935 with regard to labor unions; specific racial sense is from 1961; now often used more generally in reference to hiring quotas, etc.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper