optimism

American  

[op-tuh-miz-uhm] / ˈɒp təˌmɪz əm /

noun

1. a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.

   Synonyms:

   cheerfulness, hopefulness, confidence

   Antonyms:

   cynicism, pessimism

2. the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.

   Antonyms:

   cynicism, pessimism

3. the belief that goodness pervades reality.

4. the doctrine that the existing world is the best of all possible worlds.

---

optimism British  

/ ˈɒptɪˌmɪzəm /

noun

1. the tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things

2. hopefulness; confidence

3. the doctrine of the ultimate triumph of good over evil

4. the philosophical doctrine that this is the best of all possible worlds

---

Other Word Forms

• antioptimism
  noun
• optimist
  noun
• optimistic
  adjective
• optimistically
  adverb
• overoptimism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of optimism

First recorded in 1730–40; from French optimisme, from Latin optim(um) ( see optimum) + French -isme -ism

Explanation

Optimism is all about seeing the bright side of things. If you think it’s going to be a great day, even though the bills are due, you lost your wallet, and you forgot your lunch, then you're full of optimism. Optimism is expecting that the best will happen. It comes from the Latin word optimus, which means "best." Even if you don’t think the very best thing will always happen, if you're generally given to optimism, you think things will get better instead of worse. The opposite of optimism is pessimism, which is the expectation that everything will go wrong, or is wrong.

Example Sentences

AST SpaceMobile’s stock had been riding high on investor optimism about the company’s satellite speeds, but now they’re on track to give back a good portion of those gains.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

Mortgage rates dropped below 6% in late February, spurring optimism for a robust spring, which is typically the busiest time of year in the housing market.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Wall Street veteran Ed Yardeni is the latest to pump up his S&P 500 target for 2026, raising it from 7,700 to 8,250 as he tracks analysts’ rising optimism about corporate profits.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

Because core inflation is considered a better gauge of price growth trends, this has provided some optimism that the U.S. is trending closer to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target than the headline figures would suggest.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

As First Lady, I saw optimism in surprising places.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• anticipation
• certainty
• confidence
• elation
• enthusiasm
• expectation
• happiness
• idealism
• trust