Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

yes

/jɛs/

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.50 in modern English

Syllables: yes
IPA: /jɛs/

6

Scrabble Score

3

Letters

1

Syllables

3

Unique Chars

Meaning

particle

Used to show agreement or acceptance.

particle

Used to indicate disagreement or dissent in reply to a negative statement.

particle

Answer to a question presuming one answer when all answers are correct.

Humorous

intj

An exclamation of pleasure or approval, usually transcribed with an exclamation point.

intj

Response that confirms that the user is paying attention.

intj

Used to ask for more information with a request.

noun

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

noun

A vote of support or in favor of something.

Example Sentences

"Yes, you are correct."
"Yes, you may go play outside now."
"Yes, sir, we have your package right here."
"Hi, Jonathan. Are you busy? — Yes, I’m busy."
"It was not my fault we lost the race. Oh, yes, it was!"
"Do you like cake, or pie? Yes."

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”).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: yes, ġīese

Usage

Inflected Forms

yeses (plural) yesses (plural) yeses (present, singular) yesses (present, singular) yessing (participle, present) yessed (participle, past) yessed (past)

Derived Forms

yesman yessuh yessum

Phrases

say yes very yes yes and yes and amen yes and no yes-brainer yes-huh yes ma'am

Frequently Paired Words

och aye oh ar oh yeah oo arr wye aye does a bear shit in the woods does the Pope shit in the woods is the Pope Catholic

Synonyms

affirmative surely aye yea nod agree consent arr ay yassuh Nautical military

Antonyms

no nay Nautical military telecommunications: negative ixnay nah naw nope also: Thesaurus:no

Rhymes With

less guess press success unless vs dress stress express mess des nevertheless

Questions

How do you pronounce yes?: The recorded pronunciation is /jɛs/.
What does yes mean?: Used to show agreement or acceptance.
Where does yes come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce yes

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “yes”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/jɛs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “yes”.
Repeat and practice — Say “yes” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.