optimistic

[op-tuh-mis-tik]

See more synonyms for optimistic on Thesaurus.com

adjective

disposed to take a favorable view of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.
reflecting a favorable view of events and conditions and the expectation of a positive outcome; demonstrating optimism: an optimistic plan.
of or relating to optimism.

Sometimes op·ti·mis·ti·cal.

Origin of optimistic

First recorded in 1840–50; optimist + -ic

Related formsop·ti·mis·ti·cal·ly, adverban·ti·op·ti·mis·tic, adjectivean·ti·op·ti·mis·ti·cal, adjectivean·ti·op·ti·mis·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·op·ti·mis·tic, adjectivenon·op·ti·mis·ti·cal, adjectivenon·op·ti·mis·ti·cal·ly, adverbo·ver·op·ti·mis·tic, adjectiveo·ver·op·ti·mis·ti·cal·ly, adverbpre·op·ti·mis·tic, adjectivesem·i·op·ti·mis·tic, adjectivesem·i·op·ti·mis·ti·cal·ly, adverbsu·per·op·ti·mis·tic, adjectiveun·op·ti·mis·tic, adjectiveun·op·ti·mis·ti·cal, adjectiveun·op·ti·mis·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for optimistic

Contemporary Examples

Today, liberal Protestantism is on the wane, and optimistic postmillennialism along with it.
The Evangelical Apocalypse Is All Your Fault
Jay Michaelson
January 4, 2015
In fact, there are a number of good reasons to be optimistic.
Can the U.S. Government Go Moneyball?
Peter Orszag, Jim Nussle
December 23, 2014
Backers of reform certainly hope so and believe it might have been too optimistic to expect change this year.
SWAT Lobby Shoots to Kill Police Reform After Ferguson
Tim Mak
December 2, 2014
He then struck an optimistic note, saying his own life is proof that we have made great progress in matters of race.
Darren Wilson Wasn’t Indicted—the System Was
Michael Daly
November 25, 2014
The stories, meanwhile, close on open notes, if not optimistic ones.
Short Stories From the New China
Mindy Farabee
November 19, 2014

Historical Examples

Mechanically, you raise your hand to lift away your optimistic spectacles.
De Libris: Prose and Verse
Austin Dobson
Hope it will work out all right; and am inclined to be optimistic.
It Happened in Egypt
C. N. Williamson
"That is only nerves," said Cornish, who was ever optimistic and cheerful.
Roden's Corner
Henry Seton Merriman
And he is so optimistic and willing, and his notes are so golden with the yellow of sunshine!
The Forest
Stewart Edward White
Giving my opinion as a lawyer, I could not take an optimistic view of the matter.
Lotus Buds
Amy Carmichael

Word Origin and History for optimistic

adj.

1845, from optimist + -ic. Related: Optimistical (1809); optimistically.

optimistic

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for optimistic

Contemporary Examples

Today, liberal Protestantism is on the wane, and optimistic postmillennialism along with it.

In fact, there are a number of good reasons to be optimistic.

Backers of reform certainly hope so and believe it might have been too optimistic to expect change this year.

He then struck an optimistic note, saying his own life is proof that we have made great progress in matters of race.

The stories, meanwhile, close on open notes, if not optimistic ones.

Historical Examples

Mechanically, you raise your hand to lift away your optimistic spectacles.

Hope it will work out all right; and am inclined to be optimistic.

"That is only nerves," said Cornish, who was ever optimistic and cheerful.

And he is so optimistic and willing, and his notes are so golden with the yellow of sunshine!

Giving my opinion as a lawyer, I could not take an optimistic view of the matter.

Word Origin and History for optimistic

adj.

Origin of optimistic