Pollyanna

[ pol-ee-an-uh ]

noun

1. an excessively or blindly optimistic person.

adjective

1. (often lowercase) Also Polly·anna·ish. unreasonably or illogically optimistic:

   some pollyanna notions about world peace.

Pollyanna

/ ˌpɒlɪˈænə /

noun

1. a person who is constantly or excessively optimistic

Pollyanna

1. (1913) A children's book by the American author Eleanor H. Porter. The title character is an orphan girl who, despite the difficulties of her life, is always extremely cheerful.

Notes

A “Pollyanna” remains excessively sweet-tempered and optimistic even in adversity.

Derived Forms

• ˌPollyˈannaish, adjective

Other Words From

• Polly·anna·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pollyanna¹

First recorded in 1910–15; from the name of the child heroine in the novel Pollyanna (1913), written by Eleanor Hodgman Porter (1868–1920), American writer

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pollyanna¹

C20: after the chief character in Pollyanna (1913), a novel by Eleanor Porter (1868–1920), US writer

Example Sentences

A couple of years at the White House would turn Pollyanna into Machiavelli.

From The Daily Beast

And she turned away—Miss Polly's arrangements for the comfort of her niece, Pollyanna, were complete.

From Project Gutenberg

Pollyanna, standing at the bureau, gazed a little wistfully at the bare wall above.

From Project Gutenberg

At one of the windows, a few minutes later, Pollyanna gave a glad cry and clapped her hands joyously.

From Project Gutenberg

The next moment the window was wide open, and Pollyanna was leaning far out, drinking in the fresh, sweet air.

From Project Gutenberg

Pollyanna had made a wonderful discovery—against this window a huge tree flung great branches.

From Project Gutenberg