Etymology From Middle English yes, from Old English ġīese (“by all means, of course, yes”), derived from the same root as yea. Compare Faroese júsá (“yes, indeed, certainly”).
1
Used to show agreement or acceptance.
Yes, you are correct.
Yes, you may go play outside now.
2 more examples
Yes, sir, we have your package right here.
Hi, Jonathan. Are you busy? — Yes, I’m busy.2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
2
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!
3
Humorous Answer to a question presuming one answer when all answers are correct.
Etymology From Middle English yes, from Old English ġīese (“by all means, of course, yes”), derived from the same root as yea. Compare Faroese júsá (“yes, indeed, certainly”).
1
An exclamation of pleasure or approval, usually transcribed with an exclamation point.
Our second goal of the match! Yes!
2
Response that confirms that the user is paying attention.
3
Interrogative Used to ask for more information with a request.
I need some help. Yes?
yes
noun
Etymology From Middle English yes, from Old English ġīese (“by all means, of course, yes”), derived from the same root as yea. Compare Faroese júsá (“yes, indeed, certainly”).
1
An affirmative expression; an answer that shows agreement or acceptance.
Was that a yes?
Yet a woman’s “yes” would have bound him to that other life forever, and made the thought of this savage existence repulsive.1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 121:
2
A vote of support or in favor of something.
The workers voted on whether to strike, and there were thirty "yeses" and one "no".
yes
verb
Etymology From Middle English yes, from Old English ġīese (“by all means, of course, yes”), derived from the same root as yea. Compare Faroese júsá (“yes, indeed, certainly”).
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 February 25, “Going Up!”, in Sunday State Journal, Lincoln, Neb., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 12—B, column 2:
“Heaven knows why a woman ‘Noes’!” / Clarrie nodded glumly. “And why she ‘Yesses’ in the end.”1994, Malcolm Ross, “Part Three: The New Woman”, in Kernow & Daughter, London: BCA, →ISBN, page 293:
1 more example
"[…] Are you—?" / ". . . all right?" / We yessed simultaneously. / "At least, I think so."2005, Tyree Campbell, chapter 11, in Nyx, Cedar Rapids, Ia.: Sam’s Dot Publishing, page 93:
3
Slang To attempt to flatter someone by habitually agreeing
Etymology From Middle English yes, from Old English ġīese (“by all means, of course, yes”), derived from the same root as yea. Compare Faroese júsá (“yes, indeed, certainly”).
› Countering a statement using the determiner no:
1
Humorous There is; indicating the existence of something.
Have you heard this before? "Nintendo 64 has no games!" Well, I did a little researching, and here's what I found: […]1997 July 9, Marky J, “No Games? … Yes games!!”, in rec.games.video.nintendo (Usenet), archived from the original on 05 Dec 2025:
[Message header:] No water... YES WATER! / We have water again!1997 December 15, =^.^=, “No water...”, in alt.home.repair (Usenet), archived from the original on 05 Dec 2025:
2 more examples
>> What a silly question, you, momma and the cats. > > No cats and she's off-topic here, pest. Yes cats 4 of them to be exact.2003 February 26, jack, “discussion”, in ne.weather (Usenet), archived from the original on 31 Jan 2026:
> >sure. try faking it. you better be good at it, atheist. > > No need Christian. yes need atheist.2005 December 1, shadow, “Christians in alt.atheism are going to HELL”, in alt.atheism (Usenet), archived from the original on 05 Dec 2025:
2
Humorous Indicating the possibility or allowance of something.
When our family left graduate school, it was in a cocoon of our own feelings, with college life behind us and the boys excitedly talking about what was “behead of us,” and our car avoiding no parking signs but aiming for “yes parking.”1973, William Stafford, “Having Become a Writer: Some Reflections”, in Northwest Review, volume XIII, Eugene, Ore.: University of Oregon, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 91:
I lived in a no-pets apartment in a house. And my boyfriend and I broke up (that's another installment, too!), and I grabbed the dog, who was always mine, anyway. And my landlord agreed that it was a yes-pets apartment shortly afterward.2000 February 1, Fulmination, “Brier”, in rec.pets.dogs.behavior (Usenet), archived from the original on 31 Jan 2026:
1 more example
Smoking is banned in restaurants, shops, public hallways and other nongambling parts of casinos; yet it is hard to tell where the no-smoking area ends and the yes-smoking area begins.2010 November 11, Adam Nagourney, “Las Vegas Casinos Are a Last Bastion for Smokers”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 19 Oct 2011: