affirmative

/əˈfɜːrmətɪv/

positive or agreeing

The judge gave an affirmative response to the defendant's question.

The judge agreed or said 'yes' to the defendant's question.

formal

Expressing agreement or consent; positive.

She nodded in an affirmative manner.

She nodded to show agreement.

Often used in legal or formal contexts to indicate agreement.

informal

In some contexts, referring to a positive response or action.

The affirmative vote passed the proposal.

The 'yes' vote approved the proposal.

Common in discussions about voting or decisions.

Collocations

affirmative actionpolicies designed to increase opportunities for marginalized groupsaffirmative responsea 'yes' or positive answer

a legal defense that admits the act but denies criminal intent

In formal settings, 'affirmative' is often used in legal or official contexts, while in informal settings, it can simply mean 'yes'.

In legal contexts, 'affirmative' often refers to a positive response or action, such as an affirmative defense.

From Latin 'affirmativus', meaning 'affirming', from 'affirmare' (to affirm).

Often used in legal or formal contexts, but also common in everyday language to indicate agreement.

af-

prefix

firm

strong, steady

root

-ative

tending to

suffix

English Dictionary