Affirm Meaning
/əˈfɝm/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo agree, verify or concur; to answer positively.
verbTo assert positively; to tell with confidence; to aver; to maintain as true.
Sentence Examples
Many scientists affirm that life on Earth didn't arise by chance.
The exploiting classes try to immortalize false worldviews to affirm and strengthen their domination.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor will ____ that the test results are accurate and reliable.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The witness was asked to ____ that the statement was entirely true.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English affermen, from Old French afermer, affermer, from Latin affirmare, adfirmare (“to present as fixed, aver, affirm”), from ad (“to”) + firmare (“to make firm”), from firmus (“firm”). By surface analysis, af- + firm.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Jesus, […] whom Paul affirmed to be alive"
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 25:19:
"However, as anyone who knew Adrian Shooter would affirm, he very rarely took no for an answer."
— 2024 August 21, Peter Plisner, “The changing role of our railway stations”, in RAIL, number 1016, page 62:
"Kate pointed out that these similarities between the various accounts of parents with trans children attracts criticism from those commentators who argue that trans children do not exist or should not be affirmed in their gender."
— 2021 August 24, Shon Faye, “‘I feel like it’s quite shaky acceptance’: trans kids and the fight for inclusion”, in The Guardian:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor will ____ that the test results are accurate and reliable.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The witness was asked to ____ that the statement was entirely true.