I. yes 1 S1 W1 /jes/ BrE AmE adverb spoken
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: gese ]
1 . ANSWER TO QUESTION/STATEMENT
a) used as an answer to say that something is true or that you agree OPP 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 OPP 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 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.’
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.’
⇨ ↑ yeah
II. yes 2 BrE AmE noun ( plural yeses or yesses ) [countable]
a vote, voter, or reply that agrees with an idea, plan, law etc OPP no :
According to the latest opinion poll, the noes have 60%, and the yeses have 40%.
—yes adjective :
a yes vote