Affirm

Affirm is a verb meaning to declare something to be true or to assert it with confidence. It often implies confirmation, support, or the maintenance of a belief or position. The word derives from Medieval Latin affirmare, from ad “to” plus firmare “to make firm,” ultimately from Latin firmus “firm.”

In usage, affirm can refer to stating a fact, confirming a statement, or pledging support. In law, to affirm a court ruling means to uphold it on appeal rather than overturn it. In religious or formal contexts, an affirmation can be a positive declaration of faith or a formal expression of agreement with a set of beliefs. The term is commonly paired with antonyms such as deny, negate, or contradict.

Affirm is also the name of a prominent American fintech company. Affirm Holdings, Inc. is known for offering installment loans and buy-now-pay-later services at the point of sale, with a focus on transparent terms for consumers. The company was founded in 2012 by Max Levchin and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. It went public in January 2021 on the Nasdaq under the ticker AFRM. Since its IPO, Affirm has been a notable participant in discussions about consumer credit, regulatory oversight, and the evolution of financing options for online shopping.