yes
/yĕs/
noun
- An affirmative or consenting reply.
- An affirmative vote or voter.
I use "yes" when I'm speaking formally, and I use it a lot more in writing than in speech, but usually when speaking I use other words--"yeah", "yup", "yep", "mm-hm", etc. Answer from maybri on reddit.com
Merriam-Webster
merriam-webster.com › dictionary › yes
YES Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
3 weeks ago - The meaning of YES is —used as a function word to express assent or agreement. How to use yes in a sentence.
Cambridge Dictionary
dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary › english › yes
YES | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
October 14, 2025 - YES meaning: 1. used to express willingness or agreement: 2. used for emphasis: 3. used to show that you are…. Learn more.
Dictionary.com
dictionary.com › browse › yes
YES Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
4 days ago - Yes definition: (used to express affirmation or assent or to mark the addition of something emphasizing and amplifying a previous statement).. See examples of YES used in a sentence.
Other native speakers, do you ever use the word "yes"?
I use "yes" when I'm speaking formally, and I use it a lot more in writing than in speech, but usually when speaking I use other words--"yeah", "yup", "yep", "mm-hm", etc. More on reddit.com
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May 12, 2023UK - What does answering "can do" instead of "yes" mean (to you)?
as a Brit it could either mean "could you do .....?" "sure, can do!" or "we could do ...." "yeah, we can do" in a nutshell, it's either an enthusiastic agreement or an acknowledgement of a good or interesting idea or suggestion More on reddit.com
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September 5, 2024Videos
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“Yes... No... Yeah... Sure.” WHAT??? - YouTube
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🤔 What does it mean to say “yes”? - YouTube
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Yes | Meaning of yes - YouTube
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Yes Meaning - YouTube
58:16
How to stop saying “yes” when you mean “no”, with Natalie ...
YES meaning, definition & pronunciation | What is YES? | How ...
Vocabulary.com
vocabulary.com › dictionary › yes
Yes - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com
Yes is a confirmation or an affirmative — a positive reply. When you say yes to a friend's invitation to a party, it means you'll be there.
Thesaurus.com
thesaurus.com › browse › yes
254 Synonyms & Antonyms for YES | Thesaurus.com
View definitions for yes · adverb as in expresses affirmation or agreement · SynonymsAntonyms · Strong matches · affirmative · amen · fine · good · okay · true · yea · Weak matches · all right · aye · beyond a doubt · by all means ...
Collins Dictionary
collinsdictionary.com › us › dictionary › english › yes
YES definition in American English | Collins English Dictionary
You use yes to tell someone that what they have said is correct.
Published March 26, 2018
Simple English Wikipedia
simple.wikipedia.org › wiki › Yes
Yes - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
March 27, 2025 - Yes is an English word that shows acceptance or agreement, or making a positive response or exclamation. It also has a positive meaning.
Quora
quora.com › What-does-it-mean-when-someone-says-Yes
What does it mean when someone says 'Yes'? - Quora
Answer (1 of 5): Me outsiders says NO to me so I left or leave them no longer have contact to them outsiders yes all the time to their exlovers or best friends me no blocked
Oxford English Dictionary
oed.com › dictionary › yes_adv
yes, adv., n., & int. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English Dictionary
Yes [1881 R.V. Yea], of the Gentiles also . Bible (King James) Romans iii. 29 ... Val. What meanes your Ladiship? Doe you not like it?
Reddit
reddit.com › r/englishlearning › other native speakers, do you ever use the word "yes"?
r/EnglishLearning on Reddit: Other native speakers, do you ever use the word "yes"?
May 12, 2023 -
Okay, so I've been realizing recently that I literally never use the word "yes." It's always either "yeah" or "yup." I use "yeah/yup" with people my age, people that are older, my boss, professors, etc. Idk "yes" just sounds so stiff.
I guess maybe I'd use "yes" if I were in a super formal environment like a formal job interview or meeting with the queen king.
Idk maybe it's a generational thing; I'm gen-z.
Am I alone in this?
Top answer 1 of 89
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I use "yes" when I'm speaking formally, and I use it a lot more in writing than in speech, but usually when speaking I use other words--"yeah", "yup", "yep", "mm-hm", etc.
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I thought it was commonly understood that, say, going "yup" to an elder or a boss could be considered rude or too informal therefore you should say "yes" instead? I haven't really given it much thought but I will say "yes" when responding to direct questions at the doctor's office. I will say "Yes..." when I'm actually unsure that I understand something. I'm a Millennial.
Encyclopedia Britannica
britannica.com › dictionary › yes
Yes Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary
YES meaning: 1 : used to give a positive answer or reply to a question, request, or offer; 2 : used to express agreement with an earlier statement or to say that statement is true
Reddit
reddit.com › r/english › uk - what does answering "can do" instead of "yes" mean (to you)?
r/ENGLISH on Reddit: UK - What does answering "can do" instead of "yes" mean (to you)?
September 5, 2024 -
So I've been living in the UK for 17 years - I am German so English is not my mother tongue
My husband is from the North West of the UK (plazzy scouser..lol). And every now and then we have this conversation about saying "can do" as a response to someone making a suggestion.
He argued that it just means "yes". To me it always sounds a bit like "yeah, if I absolutely HAVE to :eyeroll:" or "I don't want to do it but I'll do it to please you".
He denies that and says that it just means yes. His mum also agrees with him but most of my friends in other parts of the country (especially Yorkshire) agree with me. He argues it's a North West/East thing.
I am on my phone so can't add a survey but I am curious whether this is actually a regional thing or whether it's just a personal/family habit.
It doesn't help that there are quite a few "what the British really mean memes like the one I uploaded.
As a German we have a similar way of responding but I'd say it depends on your intonation which will reveal your true feelings: "Kann ich machen/Können wir machen" - if your really want to do it you'd probably say "Können wir gerne machen" - if you don't want to do it you leave the "gerne" out and look a bit bored while saying it
"can do" on the other hand seems to always sound the same I also realise that can do and could do could mean two completely different things depending on context.
Can you chip in and also tell me which region your are from?
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(Not British but) Australian here, "can do" generally means yes. Actually, I'd argue it usually is "yes" but with enthusiasm, same tone as "I'd be happy to do it".
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as a Brit it could either mean "could you do .....?" "sure, can do!" or "we could do ...." "yeah, we can do" in a nutshell, it's either an enthusiastic agreement or an acknowledgement of a good or interesting idea or suggestion
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries
oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english › yes_1
yes exclamation - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com
Mrs Smith has just won £2 million—yes!—£2 million! used to show that you are excited or extremely pleased about something that you have done or something that has happened ... Word OriginOld English gēse, gīse, probably from an unrecorded phrase meaning ‘may it be so’.
Quora
quora.com › What-s-the-difference-between-yes-and-yes-in-text-messages
What’s the difference between 'yes' and 'yes.' in text messages? - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): Yes. Sounds like someone erased a lot of other words originally in the sentence,then changed his mind, and thought a shorter one word answer will do the job. Possibly some excuses. Some reasons. That explains the reason why he said yes. Yes is more like “it is for sure yes.
HiNative
hinative.com › questions › 18953654
What is the meaning of "yes"? - Question about English (US)
May 2, 2021 - HiNative is a global Q&A platform where you can ask people from all over the world questions about language and culture. We support over 110 languages.
Thinkers50
thinkers50.com › blog › when-does-yes-mean-no
When Does Yes Mean No? - Thinkers50
July 3, 2023 - In America and the UK ‘yes’ means ‘I understand’, ‘I agree’, ‘I will do it’ – but in China, Japan, or The Philippines, it simply means ‘I hear you’. Nothing is taken as agreed at all.
Quora
quora.com › What-does-it-mean-when-someone-says-yes-and-no
What does it mean when someone says 'yes and no'? - Quora
Answer (1 of 7): 1. partly and partly not."“Did it come as a surprise to you?” “Yes and no.” 2. The first rule to solve most doubts is this one: if you're not convinced and are doubting between yes and no, choose no. 3. Use the 10-10-10 rule to make better long-term decisions.
Preply
preply.com › home › english › yes slang word
Yes slang word | Learn English
October 2, 2016 - You can say "yip", "yah", Or "aha" as a slang word for yes. ... Find an online tutor for 1-on-1 lessons and master the knowledge you need! Prices from just $5 per hour.Explore tutors ... I am not interested in subscribing as some months I will be able to do 6-8 lessons a month, and others I will ... ... "In which", "of which", "at which", "to which", etc? I'm confused with these words. Please help me out here. W... ... I heard the phrase: "No pun intended" and can't understand the meaning?
Cambridge Dictionary
dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary › english › oh-yes
OH YES | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
oh yesSee all meanings · Idioms and phrasesIdioms and phrases · Word of the Day · cut someone some slack · to not judge someone as severely as you usually would because they are having problems at the present time · About this · ✖ · ...
Wiktionary
en.wiktionary.org › wiki › yes
yes - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Compare Faroese júsá (“yes, indeed, certainly”).