Etymology Explorer › Middle English

Where does “yes” come from?

yes (Middle English) comes from Old English ġīese — "yes"; literally, "so be it".

yes (Middle English): Alternative form of is; plural of ye; Alternative...

Definitions

  1. Alternative form of is; plural of ye; Alternative...

Ancestry of “yes”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Englishġīese"yes"; literally, "so be it"

Words derived from “yes”

  • 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
Every word from Old English ġīese →