Affirming
/əˈfɜːrmɪŋ/
verbIntermediate📊CommonEmotion
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
To declare something to be true or to support a statement or belief with evidence
/əˈfɜːrmɪŋ/
verbneutralIntermediate
Emotion
State that one believes something to be true
The coach affirmed the team's ability to win.
More Examples
2
The scientist affirmed the discovery after further research.
3
In court, the witness affirmed their testimony.
How It's Used
General
"She affirmed her love for him in front of everyone."
From Middle English affirmen, from Old French afirm-, affirmer, from Latin affirmare : ad-, ad- + firmare, to strengthen; see firm (2). First recorded in 1300-50.
Affirm has been used in English literature since the 14th century, with a similar meaning to its current usage.
Memory tip
Think of a judge affirming a jury's verdict.
Word Origin
LanguageLatin
Original meaning
"to strengthen"
Base: affirm
wholeheartedly affirmfirmly affirm
Common misspellings
afirmingafferming
Practice
Usage
70%Spoken
30%Written