Etymology

Adverb

1. A word used to show agreement or acceptance.

   Yes, you are correct.

   Yes, you may go to the bathroom now.

   Yes, sir, we have your package right here.

2. A word used to indicate disagreement or dissent in reply to a negative statement.

   It was not my fault we lost the race.

   Oh, yes, it was!

Synonyms

• Dialect or archaic forms: ay, aye, yea, yassuh
• Nautical, military, telecommunications: affirmative
• Colloquial or slang forms: ya, yah, yeah, yeh, yep, yeppers, yup, yuppers, yus, ahuh, mhm.

Antonyms

• Standard form: no
• Nautical, military, telecommunications: negative
• Dialect or archaic forms: nay
• Colloquial or slang forms: ixnay, nah, naw, nope

Usage notes

• In Old and Middle English, yes was a more forceful affirmative than yea.
• An example of yes used to disagree with a statement: the questions "You don’t want it, do you?" and "Don’t you want it?" are answered by "yes" if the respondent does want the item, and no if he or she does not. Many languages use a specific word for this purpose; see translation table above.

Noun

1. An affirmative expression; an answer that shows agreement or acceptance.

   Was that a yes?

2. A vote of support or in favor/favour of something.

   The workers voted on whether to strike, and there were thirty "yeses" and one "no".

Verb

1. To agree with, to affirm.

   Did he yes the veto?

2. To attempt to flatter someone by habitually agreeing.