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affirmative Definition

af·firma·tive (ə fʉrm′ə tiv)

adjective

  1. saying that something stated is true; answering “yes” an affirmative reply
    1. bold or confident in asserting affirmative people
    2. optimistic or hopeful; not negative or cynical
  3. Logic affirming something about a subject “all men are mortal” is an affirmative proposition

Etymology: ME affirmatif < L affirmativus < affirmare, affirm

adverb,

yes: so used in radio communication

noun

  1. a word or expression indicating assent or agreement (Ex.: yes, aye)
  2. an affirmative statement
  3. the point of view that upholds the proposition being debated

affirmative Related Forms
af·firm′a·tively adverb
affirmative Idioms

in the affirmative

  1. in assent or agreement with a plan, suggestion, etc.
  2. with an affirmative answer; saying “yes”
affirmative Synonyms

affirmative

modif.

agreeing, affirming, affirmatory, positive, consenting, concurring, approving, ratifying, assenting, supporting, complying, endorsing, acknowledging, acquiescent, establishing, corroborative, confirmatory, confirming.

Antonyms negative*, contradictory*, noncommittal.

in the affirmative

favorably, in assent, in agreement, with an affirmative answer; see yes.

affirmative Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • resolution: Such an order would be subject to affirmative resolution.
  • action: Yet in the UK ' affirmative action ' is illegal.
  • vote: An affirmative vote of at least two thirds of members present shall be required for adoption.
  • procedure: Such an order requires affirmative procedure in the Commons.
  • answer: Here, too, specific evidence for an affirmative answer fails.
  • consent: If the answer was in the affirmative, written consent was obtained.

Modifying Another Word

  • strongly: He also objects to writers like H.G.Wells who use strongly affirmative language to describe evolution.
  • quite: I wrote a long, reasoned, quite affirmative conclusion to the first edition of ' Stars ' .