# yes

> English word · Particle · IPA /jɛs/ · frequency rank #301

## Definitions
1. Used to show agreement or acceptance.
2. Used to indicate disagreement or dissent in reply to a negative statement.
3. Answer to a question presuming one answer when all answers are correct.

## 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”).

## Easily confused with
- **yo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yo)
- **yu** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yu)
- **yr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yr)
- **Yi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yi)
- **yt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yt)
- **Ys** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-ys)
- **YG** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yg)
- **YP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yp)
- **you** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-you)
- **yet** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yet)
- **yup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yup)
- **yrs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yrs)
- **yoo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yoo)
- **yum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yum)
- **yin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yin)
- **Yun** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yun)
- **yew** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yew)
- **yon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yon)
- **yip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yip)
- **yue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/yes-vs-yue)

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/yes