Affirmative
/əˈfɜːrmətɪv/
adjectiveBeginnerCommonLegal
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
Expressing agreement, consent, or confirmation.
/əˈfɜːrmətɪv/
adjectiveneutralBeginner
Legal
Expressing agreement or confirmation.
His affirmative answer settled the matter.
💡 Simply: Saying yes or agreeing.
More Examples
2
She gave an affirmative response to the proposal.
How It's Used
Legal
"The judge gave an affirmative response to the motion."
General Conversation
"She gave an affirmative nod."
2
A statement or action that confirms something.
/əˈfɜːrmətɪv/
nounneutralIntermediate
General
An affirmative statement or action.
The committee's affirmative was a significant step forward.
💡 Simply: A 'yes' or a confirming action.
How It's Used
Politics
"The affirmative action policy aimed to improve diversity."
Tip:Think of it as the noun form of the adjective 'affirmative'.
From Latin *affirmatīvus*, from *affirmare* "to affirm".
The word has been used in legal and philosophical contexts for centuries, reflecting its core meaning of confirmation.
Memory tip
Think of 'affirm' meaning to confirm, and '-ative' meaning relating to.
Practice
Base: affirm
afirmativeaffirmatve
Usage
20%Spoken
80%Written