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

Life doesn’t screech to a halt after a Pollyanna rom-com ending, just like love isn’t cast in amber, destined to be preserved forever.

From Salon • Jun. 14, 2025

If it seems like Roberts is too Pollyanna, well, for some players, it works.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 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

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