Yes — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb noun /ˈyes/

Meaning & Definition of Yes

Yes (adverb)

  1. —used as a function word to express assent or agreement
  2. —used as a function word usually to introduce correction or contradiction of a negative assertion or direction
  3. —used as a function word to introduce a more emphatic or explicit phrase

Yes (noun)

  1. an affirmative reply, yea

Yes (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. used to express agreement

    "yes, I'll be ready for the test tomorrow"

    similar: all right, alright, aye, exactly, OK, okeydoke, yea, yeah, yep, yo
    related: absolutely, assuredly, certainly, indeed, indisputably, positively, undoubtedly, unquestionably
    opposite: nay, no, no way, scarcely

Yes (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a vote or decision for something

    "the bill passed with 50 yeses and 12 noes"

    similar: affirmative, yea
    related: pro, acceptance, accession, acquiescence, agreement, approval, assent, concurrence, consent, permission, sanction
    opposite: nay, negative, no, non placet
    near: con, blackball, veto, declination, denial, disallowance, negation, refusal, rejection, turndown

Related Entry: Yes-man (noun)

Yes-man is a different word from Yes. The synonyms below are for yes-man, not for yes.

  1. a person (especially a man) who agrees with everything that someone says; a person who supports the opinions or ideas of someone else in order to earn that person's approval

    "corporate yes-men"

    similar: apparatchik, camp follower, flunky, hanger-on, henchman, lackey, lickspittle, minion, myrmidon, satellite, stooge, sycophant, toady, acolyte, adherent, convert, disciple, epigone, follower, liege man, partisan, pupil, votarist, votary, apostle, missionary, proselytizer, soldier, faithful, loyalist, advocate, backer, champion, supporter, protégé, scholar, student, ideologist, ideologue, sectarian, admirer, cultist, devotee, enthusiast, fan, idolater, worshipper, zealot
    opposite: apostate, defector, renegade, traitor, turncoat, coryphaeus, leader

Related Entry: Yes-men (noun)

Yes-men is a different word from Yes. The synonyms below are for yes-men, not for yes.

  1. a person (especially a man) who agrees with everything that someone says; a person who supports the opinions or ideas of someone else in order to earn that person's approval

    "corporate yes-men"

    similar: apparatchiks, camp followers, flunkies, hangers-on, henchmen, lackeys, lickspittles, minions, myrmidons, satellites, stooges, sycophants, toadies, acolytes, adherents, converts, disciples, epigones, followers, liege men, partisans, pupils, votaries, votarists, apostles, missionaries, proselytizers, soldiers, faithfuls, loyalists, advocates, backers, champions, supporters, protégés, scholars, students, ideologists, ideologues, sectarians, admirers, cultists, devotees, enthusiasts, fans, idolaters, worshippers, zealots
    opposite: apostates, defectors, renegades, traitors, turncoats, coryphaei, leaders

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Yes

The most common words with a similar meaning to Yes:

all right, alright, aye, exactly, OK, okeydoke, yea, yeah, yep, yo, affirmative

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Yes

Words with the opposite meaning of Yes:

nay, no, no way, scarcely, negative, non placet

Related Words for Yes

absolutely, assuredly, certainly, indeed, indisputably, positively, undoubtedly, unquestionably, pro, acceptance, accession, acquiescence, agreement, approval, assent, concurrence, consent, permission, sanction

Near Antonyms of Yes

con, blackball, veto, declination, denial, disallowance, negation, refusal, rejection, turndown

Word Forms of Yes

Inflections: yeses, yesses

Origin & Etymology of Yes

Middle English, from Old English gēse

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Yes

Words & Phrases Containing Yes

yes-man, yes and no, yes, indeed, yes, thanks, yes, yes, say yes, say yes to

Frequently Asked Questions about Yes

What does "Yes" mean?

"Yes" means —used as a function word to express assent or agreement. As an an adverb and a noun, it is defined as: —used as a function word to express assent or agreement. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Yes"?

Other words for "Yes" include all right, alright, aye, exactly, OK, okeydoke, yea and yeah. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Yes" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Yes"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Yes". Common alternatives include all right, alright, aye, exactly, OK, okeydoke, yea, yeah, yep and yo.

What is the opposite of "Yes"?

Antonyms of "Yes" include nay, no, no way, scarcely, negative and non placet. Near antonyms include con, blackball, veto and declination.

How do you use "Yes" in a sentence?

Examples of "Yes" in a sentence: "yes, I'll be ready for the test tomorrow"; "the bill passed with 50 yeses and 12 noes".

Is "Yes" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Yes" can be used as an adverb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Yes" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Yes" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Yes"?

"Yes" is pronounced /ˈyes/.