siree
Emphatic address, informal
Siree is an emphatic particle used almost exclusively in the phrases yes siree and no siree, adding folksy emphasis to an affirmative or negative response.
The word has no independent meaning and appears only in these fixed expressions, which sound old-fashioned or deliberately colloquial.
Also spelled sirree.
emphasis
Short vertical movement
- yesOpposite of no
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
- certainlyWithout any doubt
- affirmationPositive statement of truth
exclamation · indeed · emphatic · definitely · assurance · positively · surely · undoubtedly
bob
Short vertical movement
- yesOpposite of no
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
- certainlyWithout any doubt
affirmation · exclamation · indeed · emphatic · definitely · assurance · positively · surely · undoubtedly · yessir
formality of address/emphasis
sireesir
Formal male address
madam · indeed · certainly · absolutely · Your Honor
regional/cultural register
sireerather
Somewhat, or by preference
quite · jolly well · precisely · undoubtedly
- yes sirRespectful military assent
- no sirPolite formal rejection
- police sirenLaw enforcement warning sound
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- dear sirEpistolary salutation
- siren songDangerous, irresistible appeal