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

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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

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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

I'm "words of affirmation", and so is my husband.

From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026

“It was a good affirmation that our quality speaks to consumers,” Williams said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 7, 2026

There's a stirring ballad titled If The World Is at War, We Better Not Be; while the chiming guitars of Superficiality lend an optimism to Bono's affirmation that, "the news can't break us".

From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026

Dolly’s messages of affirmation and acceptance were pivotal for scores of queer Appalachians and Southerners.

From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026

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

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

The Baldonis said they invited loved ones to visit the home to write prayers and affirmations on its exposed wooden beams after completing a nine-month renovation.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 10, 2026

Those are affirmations Rams players and coaches have utilized during a season of great expectations mired in major underachievement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026

Positive affirmations were driving the healthcare sector higher.

From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026

So we spent 45 minutes in a dimly lit room riding stationary bikes at intense speeds while an instructor shouted affirmations from the front of the room.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026

“Every problem is a solution in disguise,” Shanti said, echoing one of the Miss Teen Dream manual’s affirmations.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

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Related Words

• assertion
• confirmation

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