Yes vs. Sure — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Yes and Sure
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Definitions
Yes
Used to give an affirmative response
‘Do you understand?’ ‘Yes.’
Sure
Confident, as of something awaited or expected
I am sure we will win the game.
Yes
Used as a response to someone addressing one or trying to attract one's attention
‘Oh, Mr Lawrence.’ ‘Yes?’
Sure
Impossible to doubt or dispute; certain
We have sure proof of his innocence.
Yes
Used to question a remark
‘It should be easy to check.’ ‘Oh yes? How?’
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Sure
Bound to come about or happen; inevitable
A sure victory for the team.
Yes
Encouraging someone to continue speaking
‘When you bought those photographs …’ ‘Yes?’
Sure
Having one's course directed; destined or bound
She is sure to succeed.
Yes
Expressing great pleasure or excitement
Plenty to eat, including hot hamburger sandwiches (yes!)
Sure
Certain not to miss, slip, or err; steady
A sure grip on the suitcase.
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Yes
Expressing irritation or impatience
‘Is the pain still there?’ ‘Yes, yes, damn you, the pain is always there’
Sure
Not hesitating or wavering; firm
Sure convictions.
Yes
An affirmative answer or decision, especially in voting
Answering with assured and ardent yeses
Sure
Worthy of being trusted or depended on; reliable
A sure friend.
Yes
It is so; as you say or ask. Used to express affirmation, agreement, positive confirmation, or consent.
Sure
Free from or marked by freedom from doubt
She is sure of her friends.
Yes
An affirmative or consenting reply.
Sure
Careful to do something
Be sure to turn off the stove.
Yes
An affirmative vote or voter.
Sure
(Obsolete) Free from harm or danger; safe.
Yes
To give an affirmative reply to.
Sure
Surely; certainly.
Yes
Used to express great satisfaction, approval, or happiness.
Sure
Physically secure and certain, non-failing, reliable.
This investment is a sure thing.
The bailiff had a sure grip on the prisoner's arm.
Yes
(interrogative) Used to ask for more information with a request.
I need some help.
Yes?
Yes?
Sure
Certain in one's knowledge or belief.
She is sure of herself.
He is sure she was lying.
He was sure of being a finalist.
They aren't completely sure who will attend.
You seemed sure that the car was his.
Yes
An affirmative expression; an answer that shows agreement or acceptance.
Was that a yes?
Sure
(followed by a to infinitive) Certain to act or be a specified way.
Be sure to lock the door when you leave.
Yes
A vote of support or in favor/favour of something.
The workers voted on whether to strike, and there were thirty "yeses" and one "no".
Sure
(obsolete) Free from danger; safe; secure.
Yes
To agree with, affirm, approve.
Did he yes the veto?
Sure
(obsolete) Betrothed; engaged to marry.
Yes
(slang) to attempt to flatter someone by habitually agreeing
Sure
(modal adverb) Without doubt, certainly.
Sure he's coming! Why wouldn't he?
"Did you kill that bear yourself?" ―"I sure did!"
Yes
Ay; yea; - a word which expresses affirmation or consent; - opposed to no.
Sure
(archaic) Without fail, surely.
Yes
An affirmative;
I was hoping for a yes
Sure
Yes, expressing noncommittal agreement or consent.
"Do you want me to put this in the garage?" "Sure, go ahead."
Sure
Yes; of course.
"Could you tell me where the washrooms are?" "Sure, they're in the corner over there."
Sure
You're welcome; polite response to being thanked.
"Thanks for helping me with that electrical fault." "Sure. Any time."
Sure
Certainly knowing and believing; confident beyond doubt; implicity trusting; unquestioning; positive.
We are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
I'm sure care 's an enemy of life.
Sure
Certain to find or retain; as, to be sure of game; to be sure of success; to be sure of life or health.
Sure
Fit or worthy to be depended on; certain not to fail or disappoint expectation; unfailing; strong; permanent; enduring.
The Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the Lord.
The testimony of the Lord is sure.
Which put in good sure leather sacks.
Sure
Betrothed; engaged to marry.
The king was sure to Dame Elizabeth Lucy, and her husband before God.
I presume . . . that you had been sure as fast as faith could bind you, man and wife.
Sure
Free from danger; safe; secure.
Fear not; the forest is not three leagues off;If we recover that we are sure enough.
She that's made sure to him she loves not well.
Sure
In a sure manner; safely; certainly.
'T is pleasant, sure, to see one's name in print.
Sure
Having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured;
Felt certain of success
Was sure (or certain) she had seen it
Was very sure in his beliefs
Sure of her friends
Sure
Exercising or taking care great enough to bring assurance;
Be certain to disconnect the iron when you are through
Be sure to lock the doors
Sure
Certain to occur; destined or inevitable;
He was certain to fail
His fate is certain
In this life nothing is certain but death and taxes
He faced certain death
Sudden but sure regret
He is sure to win
Sure
Physically secure or dependable;
A sure footing
Was on sure ground
Sure
Capable of being depended on;
A quick and certain remedy
A sure way to distinguish the two
Wood dust is a sure sign of termites
Sure
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence;
A sure (or trusted) friend
Sure
Infallible or unfailing;
A sure (or true) sign of one's commitment
Sure
Certain not to fail;
A sure hand on the throttle
Sure
Impossible to doubt or dispute;
Indisputable (or sure) proof
Sure
Definitely or positively (`sure' is sometimes used informally for `surely');
The results are surely encouraging
She certainly is a hard worker
It's going to be a good day for sure
They are coming, for certain
They thought he had been killed sure enough
He'll win sure as shooting
They sure smell good
Sure he'll come
