Definition and pronunciation
affirmative — adjective meaning “saying yes; favorable; supporting a statement or proposal.” Also a noun (“a yes”), and an interjection in radio/aviation (“Affirmative!” = yes).
US /əˈfɜːr-mə-tɪv/, UK /əˈfɜː-mə-tɪv/.
Easy explanation
Affirmative means “yes.” You can give an affirmative answer, vote affirmative, or say “Affirmative!” on the radio. In sexual-health contexts, “affirmative consent” means a clear, active “yes.”
Part of speech and grammar
- Adjective: affirmative answer, affirmative vote, affirmative stance
- Noun: the affirmative (= the “yes” side)
- Interjection: “Affirmative!” (= yes)
- Adverb: affirmatively
- Verb family: affirm (v.), affirmation (n.), affirmative (adj.)
Register and tone
Neutral-to-formal. Common in law, policy, meetings, and radio/aviation. As an interjection it’s crisp and procedural (“Affirmative, copy.”).
Connection to sexuality
Yes, indirectly. “Affirmative consent” is a key term in sex education and policy: all parties clearly and freely agree to specific activity, and consent can be withdrawn at any time. “Silence” or “not resisting” is not affirmative consent.
Common collocations
affirmative answer; answer in the affirmative; affirmative vote/ballot; affirmative stance/position; affirmative action (policy term); affirmative defense (law); affirmative duty (law); affirmative consent; respond affirmatively; speak affirmatively; affirmative nod
Idioms and set phrases
- in the affirmative — “yes”
- affirmative action — policies addressing barriers for historically excluded groups
- affirmative defense — a legal defense that admits the act but offers justification/excuse
- affirmative consent — explicit, informed “yes” to sexual activity
- “Affirmative!” — radio/aviation “yes”; related proword “Affirm”
Prepositions and nuance
- in the affirmative — manner of reply: The committee replied in the affirmative.
- affirmative to/for — less common; prefer “in the affirmative” or “vote for.”
- affirmative on — heard in meetings: We’re affirmative on item 3 (= in favor).
- with an affirmative — as a noun phrase: The motion passed with an affirmative.
Word comparisons
- affirmative vs positive — both can mean “yes,” but positive also means “beneficial” or indicates presence (a positive test).
- affirmative vs confirmatory — confirmatory verifies something already claimed; affirmative expresses yes/approval.
- affirmative vs assertive — assertive = confident/forceful; not a “yes/no” term.
- affirmative consent vs consent — the first emphasizes explicit, active agreement.
Real-life examples
- The chair asked for an affirmative vote on the amendment.
- The pilot answered “Affirmative” to confirm the heading.
- The policy requires affirmative consent in all student interactions.
- The defendant raised an affirmative defense of self-defense.
- Survey respondents answered affirmatively to the first two questions.
Sample sentences
- Please answer in the affirmative or negative—no long speeches.
- The board recorded five affirmative votes and two abstentions.
- Air traffic control: “Confirm altitude?” Pilot: “Affirmative.”
- The course teaches how to check for affirmative consent before escalating intimacy.
- She spoke affirmatively about expanding access, then outlined safeguards.
Synonyms
yes, favorable, approving, supportive, positive, confirming, assent, agreed, consented, pro, in favor, yea
Antonyms
no, negative, disapproving, opposing, against, nay, dissenting, contrary
Related terms
affirm, affirmation, confirm, confirmation, assent, consent, approval, endorsement, ratify, vote, motion, resolution, policy, affirmative action, affirmative defense, affirmative consent
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