yes

[ yes ]

adverb

1. (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.

2. (used to express an emphatic contradiction of a previously negative statement or command):

   Don't do that! Oh, yes I will!

3. (used, usually interrogatively, to express hesitation, uncertainty, curiosity, etc.):

   “Yes?” he said as he opened the door. That was a marvelous show! Yes?

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

noun

, plural yes·es.

1. an affirmative reply.

verb (used with object)

, yessed, yes·sing.

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

interjection

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

yes

/ jɛs /

sentence substitute

1. used to express acknowledgment, affirmation, consent, agreement, or approval or to answer when one is addressed
2. used, often with interrogative intonation, to signal someone to speak or keep speaking, enter a room, or do something

noun

1. an answer or vote of yes
2. often plural a person who votes in the affirmative

Word History and Origins

Origin of yes¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of yes¹

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

Example Sentences

“Yes, we’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections — we’re going to come after you. Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’ll figure that out.”

From New York Times

Asked if she was proposing the bill in response to her imminent entry into Congress, Mace said: "Yes, and absolutely. And then some."

From Salon

Because yes, it failed, but it’s alive.

From Slate

“If you accept the right to make a mistake, what will stop another man tomorrow from saying that when a woman told him ‘no’ he actually understood ‘yes’? That he also made a mistake?”

From BBC

Yes, the scratchy-voiced singer and songwriter released his debut album just 18 months ago.

From Los Angeles Times