yes

[ yes ]

/ yɛs /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: yes / yeses / yessed / yesses on Thesaurus.com

adverb

(used to express affirmation or assent or to mark the addition of something emphasizing and amplifying a previous statement): Do you want that? Yes, I do.

(used to express an emphatic contradiction of a previously negative statement or command): Don't do that! Oh, yes I will!

(used, usually interrogatively, to express hesitation, uncertainty, curiosity, etc.): “Yes?” he said as he opened the door. That was a marvelous show! Yes?

(used to express polite or minimal interest or attention.)

noun, plural yes·es.

an affirmative reply.

verb (used with object), yessed, yes·sing.

to give an affirmative reply to; give assent or approval to.

interjection

(used as a strong expression of joy, pleasure, or approval.)

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of yes

before 900; Middle English yes, yis, Old English gēse (adv. and noun), probably equivalent to gēa yea + sī be it (present subjunctive singular of bēon to be)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use yes in a sentence

And yes, someone has already called Spencer a “Small Fry,” har har.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Yes, we do typically do better than Europe (and Canada, too, which is frequently awful on this score).
How the PC Police Threaten Free Speech|Nick Gillespie|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But yes, I pictured a James Bond-type just sauntering over to her.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And yes, our values include tolerance of those who wish to make fun of religion.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

And that may well be what is happening in the Barnett Shale region around, yes, Dallas and Irving.
26 Earthquakes Later, Fracking’s Smoking Gun Is in Texas|James Joiner|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Ajoutez cecy, s'il vous plaist, la grande difficult qu'il y a de tirer d'eux les mots mesmes qu'ils ont.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
Such throats are trying, are they not?In case one catches cold; Ah, yes!
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
"Yes, Alessandro," she answered faintly, the gusts sweeping her voice like a distant echo past him.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
They used to believe in witchcraft, and they burned millions—yes, millions—of innocent women as witches.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford
Neantmoins le vieil Membertou, pere du malade, conceut asss l'affaire, et me promit qu'on s'arresteroit tout ce que j'en dirois.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various

British Dictionary definitions for yes

yes

/ (jɛs) /

sentence substitute

used to express acknowledgment, affirmation, consent, agreement, or approval or to answer when one is addressed

used, often with interrogative intonation, to signal someone to speak or keep speaking, enter a room, or do something

noun

an answer or vote of yes

(often plural) a person who votes in the affirmative

Compare no 1

Word Origin for yes

Old English gēse, from iā sīe may it be; see yea

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

yes

Origin of yes

Words related to yes

How to use yes in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for yes

Word Origin for yes