affirmative
gb/əfˈɚmɪtɪv/ us/əfˈɚmɪtɪv/
B1
English
~ 9500
igenlő, igenlő válasz, igen, támogató, állító, állító oldal, támogató oldal
B2
1
igenlő
B2
Usage pattern:
an affirmative [answer/reply/response]
The committee gave an affirmative answer to our proposal.
A bizottság igenlő választ adott a javaslatunkra.
Her reply was brief but clearly affirmative.
A válasza rövid volt, de egyértelműen igenlő.
We need an affirmative response from all team members before we move forward.
The survey results were overwhelmingly affirmative about the new policy.
Learner examples
His answer was affirmative, not negative.
A válasza igenlő volt, nem nemleges.
She gave an affirmative response to the job offer.
Igenlő választ adott az állásajánlatra.
We are waiting for an affirmative reply from the school.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *affirmative* to mean 'happy' or 'hopeful', confusing it with 'positive' in the emotional sense. *Affirmative* is mainly used about answers, responses, and decisions, not about a person’s mood.
Meaning
expressing agreement or a yes answer
Collocations
affirmative answer
|affirmative response
|affirmative reply
|give an affirmative
|clear affirmative
|resoundingly affirmative
Synonyms
positive (Commonly used in the phrase 'positive answer/response' with a similar formal tone.)
|
agreeing (Focuses more on the person’s attitude than on the specific answer.)
|
yes (A direct one-word reply, less formal and usually not used before a noun.)
Antonyms
negative (Standard opposite for answers, as in a 'negative reply'.)
|
noncommittal (Opposite in the sense of not clearly saying yes or no.)
Themes
communication
|meetings
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Showing that you agree or that your answer is yes.
Expressing agreement, consent, or a positive answer, especially in reply to a question.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
igen
A1
Usage pattern:
answer [in] the affirmative
When asked if he accepted the terms, he replied in the affirmative.
Amikor megkérdezték tőle, elfogadja-e a feltételeket, igennel válaszolt.
A simple affirmative would have been enough to close the deal.
Egy egyszerű igen is elég lett volna az üzlet megkötéséhez.
The chair looked around the room, received several affirmatives, and moved on to the next item.
Learner examples
The students answered in the affirmative.
A diákok igennel válaszoltak.
He gave a firm affirmative to the question.
Határozott igennel válaszolt a kérdésre.
One nod from her was a clear affirmative.
Common mistake:
Learners may say *“in the yes”* instead of the fixed phrase *“in the affirmative”*. In formal speaking and writing, use *“answer in the affirmative”* to mean *“answer yes”*.
Meaning
a yes answer or agreement
Collocations
in the affirmative
|a clear affirmative
|receive an affirmative
|give an affirmative
|nod an affirmative
Synonyms
yes (Less formal and usually used directly as a reply, not inside set phrases like 'in the affirmative'.)
|
assent (More formal and often used for official or written agreement.)
Antonyms
negative (Used in the parallel phrase 'in the negative' for a no answer.)
|
refusal (Highlights active rejection, not just a simple 'no'.)
Themes
communication
|formal
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A word or action that means 'yes'.
A word, statement, or action that signifies agreement or a positive answer.
B2
FORMAL
3
támogató
B1
Usage pattern:
affirmative [action/steps/policies/measures]
The company introduced affirmative policies to increase diversity in senior roles.
A vállalat támogató intézkedéseket vezetett be, hogy növelje a sokszínűséget a vezetői pozíciókban.
These affirmative steps are meant to support students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Ezek a támogató lépések azt szolgálják, hogy segítsék az alulreprezentált csoportokból érkező diákokat.
The report calls for more affirmative measures to protect tenants’ rights.
Her work focuses on designing affirmative programs for marginalized communities.
Learner examples
The government took affirmative steps to help poor families.
A kormány támogató intézkedéseket tett a szegény családok megsegítésére.
We need more affirmative policies to support disabled workers.
Több támogató intézkedésre van szükség a fogyatékossággal élő munkavállalók érdekében.
The school is planning affirmative programs for first-generation students.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the basic 'yes' meaning and try to use it after a verb, e.g. *“I affirmative your idea”*. In this sense, *affirmative* is used before nouns like *steps, policies, action*, not as a verb.
Meaning
supporting or promoting something
Collocations
affirmative action
|affirmative policies
|affirmative steps
|affirmative measures
|affirmative agenda
|affirmative program
Synonyms
supportive (Focuses on emotional or practical support, not always on policy or rights.)
|
proactive (Stresses taking action in advance; overlaps when describing planned positive change.)
|
favorable (Emphasizes approval, but not always active, structured support.)
Antonyms
oppositional (Describes policies or attitudes that resist or fight against something.)
|
obstructive (Highlights blocking or slowing progress instead of promoting it.)
Themes
politics
|society
|relationships
Definition
Showing strong support for something, often to help a group or change a situation.
Showing active support for a policy, idea, or group, often with the aim of improving conditions or rights.
B1
TECHNICAL
4
állító
B1
Usage pattern:
an affirmative [sentence/statement/proposition]
In this exercise, change each question into an affirmative sentence.
Ebben a feladatban alakíts minden kérdést állító mondattá.
The teacher asked the class to give both affirmative and negative forms of the verb.
A tanár arra kérte az osztályt, hogy adják meg az ige állító és tagadó alakjait.
In logic, an affirmative proposition asserts that a relationship exists between two terms.
Learner examples
‘She likes coffee’ is an affirmative sentence.
A „Szereti a kávét” állító mondat.
Please write three negative sentences and three affirmative sentences.
Kérlek, írj három tagadó és három állító mondatot.
The affirmative form does not use 'not'.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *affirmative sentence* means a sentence with a 'good' or 'positive' meaning. In grammar, *affirmative* only means that the sentence is not negative (it does not use 'not' or another negative word).
Meaning
positive, not negative, statement
Collocations
affirmative sentence
|affirmative statement
|affirmative clause
|affirmative form
|affirmative proposition
Synonyms
positive (Used in the same technical contrast with 'negative', but also widely used in everyday, non-technical contexts.)
Antonyms
negative (The standard technical opposite in grammar and logic, as in 'negative sentence'.)
Themes
language
|logic
|education
|communication
Definition
In grammar and logic, describing a sentence or statement that says something is true, not that it is not true.
In grammar or logic, describing a statement that asserts that something is true, rather than denying it.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
5
állító oldal
B2
Usage pattern:
the affirmative [argues/wins/votes]
In this round, the affirmative must prove that the policy will be effective.
Ebben a fordulóban az állító oldalnak kell bizonyítania, hogy a szakpolitika hatékony lesz.
The judges decided that the affirmative presented a stronger case.
A zsűri úgy ítélte meg, hogy az állító oldal erősebb érveket hozott fel.
She volunteered to speak for the affirmative in the school debate.
Learner examples
The affirmative supports the motion.
Az állító oldal támogatja az indítványt.
Our team is on the affirmative in this debate.
A csapatunk ebben a vitában az állító oldalon van.
The affirmative won because their arguments were clear.
Common mistake:
Learners may think *affirmative* here means just 'yes'. In debate contexts, *the affirmative* is a label for the whole side or team that supports the motion, not a single answer.
Meaning
supporting side in a debate
Collocations
the affirmative
|speak for the affirmative
|argue for the affirmative
|vote for the affirmative
|the affirmative side
Synonyms
pro side (Informal debate term that clearly opposes the 'con side'.)
|
supporting side (Everyday phrasing that explains the role without debate jargon.)
Antonyms
the negative (Traditional debate term for the side arguing against the proposal.)
|
opposition (Broader term for those who are against an idea or proposal.)
Themes
education
|politics
|communication
Definition
In a debate or vote, the side that says the proposal is good and should be accepted.
In a formal debate or vote, the group or position that argues in favor of a proposal.
Grammar
Dictionary form
affirmative
IPA
GB/əfˈɚmɪtɪv/
US/əfˈɚmɪtɪv/
Syllables & stress
af - firm - at - ive (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (firm)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: affirmative
Noun
- Base: affirmative
- Plural: affirmatives
Word family
Forms
affirmatives
noun
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
negative
adjective B1
negatively
adverb B1
Advanced or less common
reaffirm
verb B2
reaffirmation
noun
Expressions
affirmative action
1/əfˈɚmɪtɪv ˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
policies favoring disadvantaged groups
Government or company policies that give extra help or preference to groups who have been treated unfairly in the past, especially in jobs and education.
Examples
- The university has an affirmative action program to increase diversity among its students.
- Debates about affirmative action often focus on fairness and equal opportunity.
affirmative consent
1/əfˈɚmɪtɪv kənsˈɛnt/
fixed phrase
clear, active agreement as consent
Clear and active agreement, often spoken, that shows a person really wants to do something, especially in sexual situations.
Examples
- Their policy requires affirmative consent for all sexual activity.
- Workshops on campus now focus on teaching students what affirmative consent means.
affirmative defense
1/əfˈɚmɪtɪv dɪfˈɛns/
fixed phrase
technical
legal defense that avoids liability
In law, a kind of defense where the person says the basic facts are true but gives a special reason why they should not be found guilty or responsible.
Examples
- The lawyer raised an affirmative defense, claiming self-defense.
- Insanity is sometimes used as an affirmative defense in criminal cases.
in the affirmative
1/ˈɪn ðə əfˈɚmɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
with a yes answer
As a formal way to say that someone answered 'yes'.
Examples
- When asked whether he accepted the offer, he replied in the affirmative.
- Most participants answered in the affirmative when asked if they trusted the system.