yes1 adverbyes2 noun
yesyes1 /jes/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb spoken 
WORD ORIGINyes1
Origin:
Old English geseEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Yes, sir, how can I help you?
- He asked me to marry him and I said yes.
- His propensity for saying yes when no would have been more appropriate kept getting the partnership into trouble.
- If your definition is elastic enough, then the answer is yes.
- Of the 20 lawmakers who received the most money from the credit card industry, 19 voted yes.
- The answer appears to be a resounding yes.
Longman Language Activatorwhen someone asks you a question
spoken · "Have you lived here long?" "Yes, about 10 years."· "Did you watch 'Trial and Retribution' last night?" "Yes, wasn't it good?"· If you're asking me whether I think we should do it, the answer is yes.yes, please (=say this to politely accept something that someone offers you) · "Would you like some wine?" "Yes, please."
spoken informal · "Are you ready, Chrissie?" "Yeah, yeah, I'm just coming."· "Was it £2000 that your car cost?" "Yeah, that's right."· "Do you think you may have to retire from athletics soon?'' "Well, yeah, I suppose so.''
spoken informal especially American · "Do you have the time, please?'' "Sure, it's three o'clock.''· "We're going to the beach this afternoon - want to come?'' "Sure, that 'd be great.''
spoken say this when you want to agree strongly with something, or to make it clear that you are definitely going to do something: · "I think Mark would make a good team captain, don't you?" "Definitely!"· "Are you going to Sonya's party?" "Definitely! It should be really fun."
spoken say this when you are surprised or annoyed that someone has asked you something, or to make your answer strong: · "Do you know when my birthday is?'' "Of course, it's next Wednesday.''of course I am/she is/you can etc: · "Are you feeling nervous?" "Of course I am, it's a very important speech."
spoken say this when you think the person asking the question is hoping for a different answer: · "You're not going out, are you?'' "I'm afraid so. But I won't be long."· "School doesn't start again next week, does it?" "Yes, I'm afraid so, Charlie."
formal written to say yes - use this when someone says yes in a formal or public situation, for example in a law court: · When asked if he recognized the defendant, the witness replied in the affirmative.· Are men more mechanical than women? 67% of all men responding to our poll answered in the affirmative.
when someone asks you for permission to do something spoken · "Is it all right if I use this computer?" "Yes, that's fine."· "Do you have a pen I can borrow?" "Yes, what color do you want?"· I asked her if I could come too, and she said yes.
spoken say this when you agree to give permission but you are not completely happy about it: · "Mum, can I borrow your car for an hour?" "OK, but don't be any longer than that."· Ed asked if he could stay over at Matt's house so I said okay.
spoken informal especially American · "Can I call you this evening?'' "Sure. I'll be home about seven thirty.''· "Do you have a photo of the baby I can see?" "Sure," said Maddy, pulling out her wallet.
spoken use this to say clearly and definitely that you are very willing to give your permission for something: · "Do you think I could borrow some money?" "Of course. How much do you need?"of course you can/we will etc: · "Will we be able to go to Disney World?" "Of course we will, that's why we're here."
spoken say this especially when you are being polite to someone in a formal situation: · "Can I change the date of my return flight to London?" "Certainly, which date would you prefer?"· "I'd like to use the hotel sauna, please.'' "Certainly, Madam. It's down the corridor on the left.''
spoken say this when someone asks your permission to use something that belongs to you, or asks to do something that affects you in some way: · "Is it OK if I smoke?'' "Sure, go ahead.''· "Do you mind if I use your phone?" "Not at all - go ahead."
spoken formal say this to show that you are very willing to give permission: · "Do you think I could stay at your house for a few days?'' "By all means, but you may have to sleep on the floor.''
spoken say this to show that you are very willing to give permission, and it is not at all inconvenient for you: · "Would it be all right if I leave work a bit early tomorrow? I've got a dentist's appointment." "No problem - thanks for letting me know."
when someone asks or tells you to do something spoken · "Will you type this letter for me, please." "Yes, but I'll have to finish this first."· "Clean the pans and scrub the floor, I want this place spotless." "Yes, sir," he replied.
spoken say this when you agree to do something but you are not completely happy about it: · "Could you pick me up at about 12 o'clock?" "Okay, if you're sure it won't be any later than that."· "Go and wake Ted up, will you?" "OK, but he isn't going to be too pleased."
spoken say this especially when you do not really want to do what someone is asking or telling you to do: · "Dad, can you help me with this maths homework?'' "Alright, but shouldn't you really do it by yourself?''all right then: · "I'd really like to see you some time this week.'' "Oh, all right then, how about a quick drink after work?''
spoken especially British say this especially when you want to show that you have understood what someone wants you to do and you are going to do it: · "We seem to have run out of eggs, too." "Right, how many do you want?"· "I'll need ten copies of this letter.'' "Right, I'll do it straight away.''
spoken informal especially American say this when you are happy to do something which someone asks or tells you to do: · "Will you be able to help with Jimmy's birthday party?'' "Sure, I love kids.''· "Just go out to the garage, will you, and get my tools.'' "Sure, I'll be right back.''
spoken say this when you are very happy to do something that someone has asked you to do: · "Can you have the car ready for me by 5 o'clock?" "No problem, sir."· "Could you get me down that box on the top shelf?" "Sure, no problem at all."
to accept an offer, invitation, or request to say yes to an offer, an invitation, or a chance to do something: · I decided to accept the job.· The president has accepted an invitation to visit Beijing.· If they offered you a place on the course, would you accept it?· We've invited Professor Shaw to come and give a talk and she's accepted.
if you take an opportunity or a job that someone offers you, you accept it: · Stephen says he'll take the job if the money's right.· This is a wonderful opportunity -- I think you should take it.
spoken if someone says yes , they agree to do what you have asked or invited them to do: · We'd really like you to come to France with us this summer. Please say yes!· David doesn't usually lend his car to anyone, so I was surprised when he said yes.say yes to (doing) something: · Do you really think your parents will say yes to letting you stay out late this Friday night?
to say you will do what someone has asked you to do, especially something that may be difficult, inconvenient etc: · They've asked Tina to work overtime this week, and she's agreed.agree to do something: · I wish I had never agreed to teach Paul how to drive.· I've agreed to help Sarah move this weekend.
to accept someone's offer to do something for you, especially when you accept the offer some time after it was made: · "If you ever need a babysitter, let me know." "Thanks, I might take you up on that some time."take up somebody's offer of something: · In the end, Rick took up his parents' offer of a loan.
to eagerly accept an offer to do something: · Marla jumped at the chance to spend a year working in her company's UK office.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
‘Would you like a sandwich?’ ‘Yes, please.’ He proposed to me and I said yes.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES ‘Have you met his wife?’ ‘Oh, yes, I know her quite well.’
‘Would you like a sandwich?’ ‘Yes, please.’ He proposed to me and I said yes. ‘Have you met his wife?’ ‘Oh, yes, I know her quite well.’· Some parents are unable to say no to their children.
· How many people voted Yes in the referendum?
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSVERB· Ninety-nine percent of those responding answered yes.· If you had asked that question six or seven years ago, I would have answered yes..· Attorney Robert Rivas answers yes to both questions.· The patient with damage to one frontal lobe catches on to the original sorting strategy and gets the string of yes answers.· Twenty percent of single women and 18 percent of women who are now separated or divorced answered yes.· Just 17 percent of women in our computer sample gave a yes answer to this question.· Again, more men than women endorsed the romantic ideal by answering yes.· Cosby answered yes when Baum asked if he ever told Jackson he loved her.
· Asked if it stemmed from his personal life, she nodded yes.· Evelyn does not nod yes to his question.
· They listened as! told them what I'd been doing at EdmoLift and they said yes at once.· He asked me to marry him and I said yes.· At least Emma the cop said yes to Curly.· A surprising number of little boys said yes and meant it.· We would still say yes to both.· Teary voiced, Alistair said yes and thanked her.· He did what no one had done before: he asked what the IRAmight say yes to.· If you want a piece, indicate by saying yes.
· Lofgren was leaning toward a yes vote.· The members know perfectly well that they will be beaten over the head with any yes vote at the next election.· Of the 20 lawmakers who received the most money from the credit card industry, 19 voted yes.· In Virginia 89 delegates voted yes and 79 no.· The darn thing passed, with Rady, D'Agosta and -- surprise! -- Pfeiler voting yes.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► yes, yes► yes, but ...PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1answer to question/statement a)used as an answer to say that something is true or that you agree OPP no: - Alert to subtleties and paradoxes, oh yes.
- And oh yes, alcohol, although legally sanctioned by adult culture, can kill you.
- And, oh yes, a full-scale Martian invasion has been added to the sacred text.
- And, oh yes, is it a jet or a turboprop?
- And, oh yes, smart about it.
- Anyway, there was plenty to observe - oh yes, I was interested in life.
- John Major balances his economic package, but the right one's always lower, oh yes.
- You did a Mrs Frankenstein on me, oh yes, you did.
- "Were you surprised?" "Well, yes and no. I knew they were planning something, but I wasn't sure what."
- A decision is more a matter of yes and no: is this thing worth doing or is it not worth doing?
- Not words we use much in the Civil Service, yes and no, even in the most impersonal contexts.
- There was no significant difference to the manner in which yes and no responses increased over memory set size.
- I'm not doing any more work for them. No sir!
‘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.’2answer to offer/invitation used as an answer to say that you want something or want to do something OPP no: ‘Would you like a sandwich?’ ‘Yes, please.’ ‘Would you like to come with us?’ ‘Yes, I’d love to.’3answer to request used as an answer to say that you will do something, or that someone may do or have something OPP 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.’5ready 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?6listening used to show that you are listening to someone and want them to continue: ‘And so I tried phoning him ...’ ‘Yes ...’7excited/happy used to show that you are very excited or happy about something: Yes! Rivaldo’s scored again!8oh 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.9emphasis 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 1921.10yes, 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.’11yes 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.’ → yeahyes1 adverbyes2 noun
yesyes2 noun (plural yeses or yesses) [countable] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- There were a total of five yeses and three noes.
WORD SETS
abstain, verbabstention, nounadopt, verbballot, nounballot box, nounballot paper, nounblackball, verbby-election, nouncasting vote, nouncloture, nounconstituency, nounconstituent, noundeliver, verbdeposit, noundeselect, verbdisenfranchise, verbdisfranchise, verbdivision, noundoorstep, verbdream ticket, nounelect, verbelection, nounelectioneering, nounelective, adjectiveelector, nounelectoral, adjectiveelectoral register, nounelectorate, nounenfranchise, verbexit poll, nounfloating voter, nounfranchise, noungeneral election, nounhung parliament, nounlobby, nounmajority, nounmotion, nounno, nounoff-year, nounopen primary, nounoutvote, verboverall majority, nounplebiscite, nounplurality, nounpocket veto, nounpoint of order, nounpoll, nounpolling, nounpolling booth, nounpolling day, nounpolling station, nounpollster, nounPR, nounprimary, nounprimary election, nounproportional representation, nounpsephology, nounrecount, nounre-elect, verbreferendum, nounresolution, nounresolve, verbreturn, verbreturning officer, nounrig, verbrun, verbrun-off, nounscrutineer, nounshow of hands, nounslate, nounsplit ticket, nounspoil, verbsponsor, nounsponsor, verbstalking horse, nounstraight ticket, nounstraw poll, nounstronghold, nounsuffrage, nountactical voting, nounteller, nounthree-line whip, nounvote, verbvote of censure, nounvote of confidence, nounvote of no confidence, nounvoter, nounvoting machine, nounward, nounwrite-in, nounX, nounyea, nounyes, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES ‘Have you met his wife?’ ‘Oh, yes, I know her quite well.’
‘Have you met his wife?’ ‘Oh, yes, I know her quite well.’· Some parents are unable to say no to their children.
· How many people voted Yes in the referendum?
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
a vote, voter, or reply that agrees with an idea, plan, law etc OPP no: - I'm not doing any more work for them. No sir!
According to the latest opinion poll, the noes have 60%, and the yeses have 40%.—yes adjective: a yes vote