optimist

American  

[op-tuh-mist] / ˈɒp tə mɪst /

noun

1. an optimistic person.

2. a person who holds the belief or the doctrine of optimism.

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Other Word Forms

• antioptimist noun
• overoptimist noun
• superoptimist noun

Etymology

Origin of optimist

First recorded in 1760–70; from French optimiste, from Latin optim(um) ( optimum ) + French -iste -ist

Example Sentences

No wonder that in a nation of pessimists, they are the optimists.

From The Wall Street Journal

They are the economic optimists, a breed that polling shows to be a distinct minority amid the pervasive pessimism.

From The Wall Street Journal

The optimists insist that new jobs will emerge to replace the ones we lose—after all, it has happened in previous tech revolutions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Askell describes herself as an optimist but still sees risks that society’s checks and balances may get overwhelmed by AI advancements.

From The Wall Street Journal

For the planners, the batch-cookers, the Sunday-afternoon optimists: make a few big, sturdy sides once and let them earn their keep all week.

From Salon

Related Words

• dreamer
• idealist