Etymology Explorer › English

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”

  • yeah
  • yus
  • yessir
  • yesman
  • yessiree
  • yesmanship
  • yesable
  • yeswoman
  • yes-man
  • yesish
  • yaaas
  • yes
  • jees
  • jessör
  • jes
  • jesa
  • kapjesi
  • kapjeso
  • jes
  • イエス
  • yes
  • yes
  • yes
  • jess
Every word from Old English ġīese →