Affirmation
/ˌæfɜːrˈmeɪʃən/
nounIntermediateCommonGeneral
Idiom
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
A statement asserting something to be true; a declaration or confirmation.
/ˌæfɜːrˈmeɪʃən/
nounpositiveIntermediate
General
Statement of fact or belief.
Her affirmation of support was invaluable.
💡 Simply: Saying something is true.
More Examples
2
The lawyer sought an affirmation of the court's decision.
How It's Used
Psychology
"Positive affirmations can help boost self-esteem."
Law
"The witness's affirmation of the defendant's guilt was crucial."
Idioms & expressions
affirm one's belief
To state firmly that one believes something.
"She affirmed her belief in God."
From Latin *affirmatio*, from *affirmare* 'to affirm'.
The word has consistently been used to describe a statement of belief or truth, with increasing use in psychology and self-help contexts in recent times.
Memory tip
Think of 'affirm' meaning to confirm, so affirmation is the act of confirming.
Practice
Base: affirm
afirmationafirmattionaffirmaton
Usage
30%Spoken
70%Written