optimism (ˈɒptɪˌmɪzəm
)
Definitions
noun
- the tendency to expect the best and see the best in all things
- hopefulness; confidence
- the doctrine of the ultimate triumph of good over evil
- the philosophical doctrine that this is the best of all possible worlds
Compare
pessimismAlternative Forms
ˈoptimist noun ˌoptiˈmistic ˌoptiˈmistical adjective ˌoptiˈmistically adverbWord Origin
C18: from French optimisme, from Latin optimus best, superlative of bonus goodQuotations
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labour"
"Every cloud has a silver lining"
Translations
- British English:
optimism
Optimism is the feeling of being hopeful about the future or about the success of something.The president expressed optimism about reaching a peaceful settlement.ˈɒptɪˌmɪzəm NOUN The president expressed optimism about reaching a peaceful settlement.
- Spanish:
optimismo
nm
- French:
optimisme
- German:
Optimismus
nm
- Chinese: 乐观 n
- Arabic: تَفَاؤُلٌ n
- Portuguese: optimismo nm
- Russian: оптимизм nm
- Croatian: optimizam nm
- Czech: optimismus nm
- Danish: optimisme nutr
- Dutch: optimisme nnt
- Finnish: optimismi n
- Greek: αισιοδοξία nf
- Italian: ottimismo nm
- Japanese: 楽観主義 n
- Korean: 낙천주의 n
- Norwegian: optimisme nm
- Polish: optymizm nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: otimismo nm
- European Spanish:
optimismo
nm
- Swedish: optimism nutr
- Thai: การมองในแง่ดี n
- Turkish: iyimserlik n
- Vietnamese: sự lạc quan n
Usage examples
He was not particularly pleased to see him; he simply wanted someone to share his optimism.
, Tank of Serpents (1986)One reason for optimism , he says, is that you may not need to get much of the protein working to significantly improve a patient's health.
New Scientist (2004)But even now, he may not know he's lost, because his optimism tends toward the delusional.
Globe and Mail (2003)Neither Venus, the defending champion, nor Serena have great cause for optimism next week.
Glasgow Herald (2001)People who score high on hope also score high on optimism, and optimism and hope do share many similarities.
, EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)