Where does “yes” come from?

Yes derives from Middle English yis, from Old English ġēse, of uncertain ultimate origin.

yes (English): Used to show agreement or acceptance; Used to...

Definitions

  1. Used to show agreement or acceptance; Used to...

Ancestry of “yes”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishyesAlternative form of is; plural of ye; Alternative...
2Old Englishġīese"yes"; literally, "so be it"

Words derived from “yes”

Every word from Old English ġīese →