Pollyanna

American  

[pol-ee-an-uh] / ˌpɒl iˈæn ə /

noun

1. an excessively or blindly optimistic person.

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adjective

1. (often lowercase) Also Pollyannaish. unreasonably or illogically optimistic.

   some pollyanna notions about world peace.

Pollyanna British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈænə /

noun

1. a person who is constantly or excessively optimistic

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Pollyanna Cultural  

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.

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Discover More

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

Other Word Forms

• Pollyannaish adjective
• Pollyannaism noun

Etymology

Origin of Pollyanna

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

Example Sentences

Phil subscribers and the public when Disney Hall fundraising faltered and the whole thing seemed like some kind of pointless avant-garde Pollyanna project from a vain architect.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2024

My inner Pollyanna prevailed, and I reasoned for a moment that the end of enmity between the two men was not only possible but also would be good for the country.

From Washington Post • Apr. 7, 2023

I didn't want the optimism to come from this Pollyanna place of we can make the world better and I want to see the best in people.

From Salon • Feb. 7, 2023

But this is not going to be a Pollyanna experience where at the end of it you’re going to feel that justice was served in this simple way.

From Slate • Jan. 14, 2023

A Little Princess and Pollyanna, let me tell you, they are selling you a pack of ugly lies.

From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart