affirmation
Americannoun
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affirmations
plural
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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
Derived Forms
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nonaffirmationnoun
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overaffirmationnoun
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preaffirmationnoun
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reaffirmationnoun
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self-affirmationnoun
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
See Examples For:
Dolly’s messages of affirmation and acceptance were pivotal for scores of queer Appalachians and Southerners.
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026
Before the date, I was about to recite my fourth affirmation when my phone pinged.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
“They’re looking for affirmation for a decision they’ve already made.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 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
In the abandoned Latin service it was the priest alone who spoke the affirmation of faith.
From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez
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
They described being unable to take in even the most effusive messages from their audience – the types of affirmations that had initially pushed them to begin creating in the first place.
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026
Positive affirmations were driving the healthcare sector higher.
From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026
After introducing the inspiration behind “Moon Garden,” which contains 12 sections of spiritual poems, insights and affirmations tied to Earth’s lunar cycles, Godfred answers questions posed by Ford and the audience.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026
In accord with my own frequent affirmations that I would personally go anywhere to secure peace and security for my people, I am now traveling out of Biafra to explore....
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
