Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: gese

yes

1 adverb
     
yes1 S1 W1 spoken
1

answer to question/statement

a) used as an answer to say that something is true or that you agree [≠ no]:
'Is that real gold?' 'Yes.'
'It was a great show.' 'Yes, it was.'
b) used as an answer to a question or statement containing a negative, to say that the opposite is true:
'Sarah isn't very intelligent, is she?' 'Yes, she is (=in fact, she is intelligent)!'
'There isn't any cereal left.' 'Yes, there is - it's in the cupboard.'
2

answer to offer/invitation

used as an answer to say that you want something or want to do something [≠ no]:
'Would you like a sandwich?' ' Yes, please.'
'Would you like to come with us?' 'Yes, I'd love to.'
3

answer to request

used as an answer to say that you will do something, or that someone may do or have something [≠ no]:
'Can I have a glass of water?' 'Yes, of course.'
He proposed to me and I said yes.
4

yes, but ...

used to show that you agree with what someone has said, but there is another fact to consider:
'There are still a lot of problems with Jeff's proposal.' 'Yes, but it's the best one we have.'
5

ready to listen/talk

used to show that you have heard someone or are ready to speak to someone:
'Mike?' 'Yes?'
Yes sir, how can I help you?
6

listening

used to show that you are listening to someone and want them to continue:
'And so I tried phoning him ...' 'Yes ...'
7

excited/happy

used to show that you are very excited or happy about something:
Yes! Rivaldo's scored again!
8

oh yes

a) used to show that you do not believe what someone is saying:
'There's nothing going on between me and Jane. We're just good friends.' 'Oh yes?'
b) used to show that you have remembered something:
Where's my umbrella? Oh yes - I left it in the car.
9

emphasis

used to emphasize that you mean what you have just said, even though it is surprising:
It took ten years - yes, ten whole years - to complete.
Yes, you heard me correctly - I said 1921.
10

yes, yes

used to show annoyance when someone is talking to you and you do not want to listen:
'And don't forget to lock the door!' 'Yes, yes, OK.'
11

yes and no

used to show that there is not one clear answer to a question:
'Were you surprised?' 'Well, yes and no. I knew they were planning something, but I wasn't sure what.'
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary