affirm

Everyday

1. To affirm something is to say firmly and clearly that it is true. tree →
2. To affirm a person is to support and encourage them, telling them they are valued. tree →
3. (law, formal) To affirm is to make a solemn promise to tell the truth in court without swearing on a holy book. tree →
4. (law) A higher court affirms a decision when it agrees that the decision was right. tree →

In the lessons

In ethics and PSHE lessons affirming someone means saying kind, true things that build them up. In law lessons people may «swear» on a Bible or «affirm» instead. In church, people affirm their faith by saying the creed. Phrases: affirm the truth, affirm your faith, an affirmation.

Examples

• The witness affirmed that she had seen the car. tree →
• Our teacher affirmed that the answer was correct. tree →
• Saying «You worked so hard» affirms your friend's effort. tree →
• In court, he chose to affirm rather than swear on the Bible. tree →
• The church members affirmed their faith by saying the creed together. tree →
• The higher court affirmed the judge's decision. tree →
• Write three sentences that affirm what you are good at. tree →
• “And I am that man,” his companion affirmed. tree →

Note

Noun: affirmation; adjective: affirmative (an affirmative answer = yes). Do not confuse with «confirm» (check or prove that something is true or booked), though they are close. Opposite: deny.