How to pronounce affirmative
Say it like uh-FUR-muh-tiv. Affirmative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR).
- uh
- FUR
- muh
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Affirmative pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- muhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of affirmative
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: uh-FUR-muh-tiv.
What does affirmative mean?
- pertaining to truth; asserting that something is; affirming“an affirmative answer”
- pertaining to any assertion or active confirmation that favors a particular result
- positive“an affirmative vote”
- Yes; an answer that shows agreement or acceptance.“That’s an affirmative Houston, the space shuttle has lost the secondary thrusters.”
- An answer that shows agreement or acceptance.
- Yes.
- Yes; true; correct.
Where does affirmative come from?
From Middle English affirmative, affirmatyve, from Old French affirmatif, from Latin affirmativus, from affirmare (“to assert”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- affirmatory
- optimistic
- approving
- approbative
- approbatory
- plausive
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying affirmative
How do you pronounce affirmative?
Say uh-FUR-muh-tiv. The American pronunciation is /əˈfɝmətɪv/. In British English it is /əˈfɜːmətɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in affirmative?
Affirmative has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR). Broken into parts: uh · FUR · muh · tiv.
Is affirmative pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /əˈfɜːmətɪv/ (uh-FUR-muh-tiv).