English dictionary

yes Meaning & Definition

Q: What is the past tense of yes?

The past tense of yes is yessed. The present participle is yessing.

/jɛs/

What Does Yes Mean?

Yes is used as a symbol meaning ISO 639-3 language code for Yeskwa. As a particle, it means Used to show agreement or acceptance. As an interjection, it means An exclamation of pleasure or approval, usually transcribed with an exclamation point.

Yes: Key Facts

Part of speech	symbol, particle, interjection, noun, verb, determiner
Pronunciation	//jɛs//
Syllables	1
Synonyms	aye, nod and yea
Antonyms	no and nay
Plural	yeses
Verb forms	yeses, yessing, yessed

Yes Definition (Symbol)

ISO 639-3 language code for Yeskwa.

Yes as a Particle

Used to show agreement or acceptance.
Yes, you are correct.
Affirmative answer to a question presuming one answer when all answers are correct.
"Do you like cake, or pie?" — "Yes."
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!"

Yes as an Interjection

An exclamation of pleasure or approval, usually transcribed with an exclamation point.
Our second goal of the match! Yes!
Response that confirms that the user is paying attention.
Used to ask for more information with a request.
"I need some help." — "Yes?"
Used as a largely meaningless filler.
(Can we add an example for this sense?)

Yes as a Noun

An affirmative expression; an answer that shows agreement or acceptance.
Was that a yes?
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 as a Verb

To agree with, affirm, approve.
Did he yes the veto?
To say “yes”.
To attempt to flatter someone by habitually agreeing

Yes as a Determiner

Countering a statement using the determiner no: There is; indicating the existence of something. Indicating the possibility or allowance of something.
There is; indicating the existence of something.
Indicating the possibility or allowance of something.

Noun

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".

Interjection

Used to express pleasure, joy, or great excitement.
Our second goal of the match! Yes!

Synonyms of Yes

aye nod yea

Yes synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Yes

no nay

Yes in a Sentence

Yes, you are correct.

Yes, you may go play outside now.

Yes, sir, we have your package right here.

"Do you like cake, or pie?" — "Yes."

(The addition of quotations indicative of this usage is being sought:) (Countless examples can be found on the “Inclusive Or” subreddit, which is a forum dedicated to this joke.)

"It was not my fault we lost the race." — "Oh yes it was!"

Our second goal of the match! Yes!

"I need some help." — "Yes?"

(Can we add an example for this sense?)

Was that a yes?

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

Did he yes the veto?

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

Word Forms & Grammar

yes

yes (plural yeses or yesses)

yes (third-person singular simple present yeses or yesses, present participle yessing, simple past and past participle yessed)

Words That Rhyme With Yes

Origin of Yes

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”).

Yes Pronunciation

The standard pronunciation of yes is //jɛs//, spoken in 1 syllable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yes

Is yes a symbol or a particle?

Yes is mainly used as a symbol, but it can also be used as a particle, an interjection, a noun, a verb and a determiner.

What is another word for yes?

Words with a similar meaning to yes include aye, nod and yea. See the full list of yes synonyms and antonyms.