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yes
/jɛs/
affirmative response
Do you want some tea?
The person is asking for confirmation to offer tea.
formalinformal
used to give a positive answer or to agree with something that is true
Yes, I will attend the meeting tomorrow.
The speaker confirms their attendance.
Is this your book? Yes, it is.
The speaker confirms ownership of the book.
Used in direct responses to yes/no questions. Can also indicate agreement in statements.
informal
used to emphasize a statement or to express strong feeling
Yes! I won the lottery!
The speaker expresses excitement about winning the lottery.
Often used in exclamations to show enthusiasm or approval.
LawBusiness
formal
an affirmative vote or decision
The motion passed with 10 yeses and 5 nos.
The motion was approved by a majority of affirmative votes.
Commonly used in voting contexts, especially in formal settings.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
When to use 'yes' vs. 'yeah'
'Yes' is appropriate in all contexts, while 'yeah' is informal and best suited for casual conversations. Use 'yes' in professional or written communication.
Gold Rule
Capitalization in sentences
Always capitalize 'Yes' when it starts a sentence ('Yes, I understand.').
Response to questions
Use 'yes' to directly answer yes/no questions ('Do you like coffee? Yes, I do.').
Word Origin
Old English 'gēse', originally an exclamation of agreement or approval, possibly derived from 'gea' (yes) and 'swa' (so). The word has remained largely unchanged in meaning since its first recorded use in the 12th century.
Usage Notes
In formal contexts, 'yes' is preferred over informal alternatives like 'yeah' or 'yep'. In writing, 'yes' is capitalized when starting a sentence ('Yes, I agree.'). In voting, 'aye' is sometimes used as a synonym, particularly in British English.
English Dictionary