What does affirm mean?
Word: Affirm
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Affirm means to say firmly and clearly that something is true. It can also mean to show support for an idea.
Synonyms: confirm, declare, assert, state
Antonyms: reject
How do you spell affirm?
Syllables: af - firm
Tricky part: The middle sound could be spelt ur, er or ir; affirm uses ir, the same as firm.
Watch out for: affurm, afferm, affirme
Memory tip: When you affirm something, you are firm about it, and firm is right there at the end of the word.
Affirm in a sentence
Example 1: The coach affirmed that the match would go ahead despite the rain.
Example 2: Grandma affirmed that she had seen the parcel arrive at the gate.
Example 3: Every morning the class affirms its promise to keep the room clean.
Fun Fact
Affirmative, the adjective from affirm, is a formal way of saying yes: an affirmative answer is a yes, and in grammar an affirmative sentence is one that is not negative.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
affirm
a) deny
b) whisper
c) suggest
d) repeat
Show answer
a) deny. To deny is to say something is not true; to affirm is to say firmly that it is.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) afirm
b) approve
c) applaud
d) attempt
Show answer
a) afirm. Affirm, like approve and applaud, doubles the letter after its first a.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
rimfaf
a) affirm
b) affair
c) afford
d) infirm
Show answer
a) affirm. Affair needs a second a, afford an o and a d, and infirm an n, so only affirm fits.
Word Makeup
Choose the suffix that completes the word:
affirm____
a) ation
b) ition
c) asion
d) ution
Show answer
a) ation. Affirm takes ation, just as inform becomes information.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Eva's mother affirmed that the picnic was on Sunday. Eva now knows the picnic ____.
a) has been called off
b) is definitely on Sunday
c) may move to next week
d) is still undecided
Show answer
b) is definitely on Sunday
2. A person who affirms something feels ____ about it.
a) careless
b) ashamed
c) doubtful
d) certain
Show answer
d) certain
