yes
- 1Used to agree, accept, or say something is true, even when someone has said it is not.
Yes, I'll help you carry those boxes upstairs.
When the waiter asked if she wanted dessert, she said yes.
UsageTo Aren't you hungry?, Yes means you are hungry.
Oppositeno
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- 2An answer that agrees or accepts, or a vote for something.
Her answer was a firm yes, and the deal was done.
The teacher counted the yeses before moving on.
UsageSay give a yes; two yeses.
Similarassent, aye, affirmative
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- 3Used in the middle of a sentence to make a point stronger or to add a stronger or surprising idea.
The trip was long, yes, very long, but it was worth it.
Everyone came to the party, yes, even my grumpy uncle.
UsagePut it between commas: long, yes, very long.
Similarindeed
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- 4To say yes, or to agree to something.
“Heaven knows why a woman ‘Noes’!” / Clarrie nodded glumly. “And why she ‘Yesses’ in the end.”
1994, Malcolm Ross, Kernow & DaughterHere, Yesses means says yes or agrees.The next day another writer asked us: “Didja hear about So-and-So? Got two hundred and fifty bucks for an idea!” We “yessed” and went our way.
1923, “Going Up!”, in Sunday State JournalHere, yessed means said yes or agreed.UsagePast: yessed.
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- 5
Less common meanings
- 6Said as a short question after a sentence to ask someone to agree or say it is true.
You'll call me when you get home, yes?
We're meeting at the park, yes?
UsagePut a comma before yes?: It's ready, yes?
Similarright
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- 7Said as 'Yes?' when someone calls you or comes to you, to ask what they want.
"Sarah?" "Yes?" she replied, looking up from her book.
He tapped my shoulder, and I turned with a quick "Yes?"
UsageLet your voice go up at the end: Yes?
- 8To keep agreeing with someone just to please them.
Junior staff learned to yes the director rather than risk his temper.
He yessed his manager so often that no one trusted his opinion.
UsageSaid in a critical way: yes your boss.
Oppositecontradict, challenge
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- 9A joking answer that picks every option in a question instead of choosing one.
"Do you want the red one or the blue one?" "Yes."
Asked whether he wanted cake or ice cream, he grinned and said, "Yes."
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Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Old English ġīese, which seems to join the old words for 'yea' and 'be', meaning something like 'so be it'.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Yes comes from Old English ġīese. en.wiktionary.org
- Old English ġīese apparently combines words for 'yea' and 'be', with the sense 'so be it'. en.wiktionary.org