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optimism definition

op·ti·mism (äp′tə miz′əm)

noun

  1. Philos.
    1. the doctrine held by Leibniz and others that the existing world is the best possible
    2. the doctrine or belief that good ultimately prevails over evil
  2. the tendency to take the most hopeful or cheerful view of matters or to expect the best outcome

Etymology: Fr optimisme < L optimus, best: see optimum

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

optimism Synonyms

optimism

n.

  1. Belief in the essential goodness of the universe

    idealism, mysticism, logical realism, philosophy of goodness, belief in progress, Leibnitz's doctrine; see also faith, idealism 2.

    Antonyms sadness*, pessimism*, cynicism. *

  2. An inclination to expect or to hope for the best

    cheerfulness, hopefulness, confidence, assurance, sanguineness, encouragement, happiness, brightness, enthusiasm, good cheer, exhilaration, buoyancy, trust, looking on the bright side, seeing through rose-colored glasses, calmness, elation, expectancy, expectation, anticipation, easiness, sureness, Pollyannaism, certainty.

    Antonyms gloom*, despair*, melancholy.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

optimism Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • prospect: Concerns over the strong pound have meant that export optimism about prospects for the year ahead has fallen heavily in every region.

Converse of object

  • misplace: Dan Rookwood Thursday July 3, 2003 1pm update: Misplaced patriotic optimism?

Adjective modifier

  • cautious: The results we review give grounds for cautious optimism.

Modifies a noun

  • bias: For more on optimism bias see the Green Book.

Noun used with modifier

  • naive: This isn't naïve optimism, it's God's promised future.

Preposition: of

  • youth: With all the optimism of youth, they sang and danced to raise funds for the British Red Cross.
optimism usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

optimism quotes

Pessimism, whenyouget usedtoit, isjust as agreeableas optimism.

-Bennett, (Enoch) Arnold

optimism quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"optimism." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/optimism>

APA Style

optimism. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/optimism

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