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