Definition of 'positive'

positive

(pɒzɪtɪv )

1. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]

If you are positive about things, you are hopeful and confident, and think of the good aspects of a situation rather than the bad ones.

Be positive about your future and get on with living a normal life. [+ about]

Her husband became much more positive and was soon back in full-time employment.

...a positive frame of mind.

Synonyms: optimistic, confident, hopeful, upbeat [informal] More Synonyms of positive

positively adverb [ADVERB after verb]

You really must try to start thinking positively.

Synonyms: really, completely, simply, plain [informal] More Synonyms of positive

2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

A positive fact, situation, or experience is pleasant and helpful to you in some way.

The parting from his sister had a positive effect on John.

Working abroad should be an exciting and positive experience for all concerned.

Synonyms: beneficial, effective, useful, practical More Synonyms of positive

The positive in a situation is the good and pleasant aspects of it.

Work on the positive, creating beautiful, loving and fulfilling relationships.

3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

If you make a positive decision or take positive action, you do something definite in order to deal with a task or problem.

There are positive changes that should be implemented in the rearing of animals.

He was expected to make a very positive contribution to the 1996 Games organisation.

Having a good diet gives me a sense that I'm doing something positive and that I'm in control.

4. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

A positive response to something indicates agreement, approval, or encouragement.

There's been a positive response to the U.N. Secretary-General's recent peace efforts.

Synonyms: favourable, encouraging, enthusiastic, good More Synonyms of positive

positively adverb [ADVERB after verb]

He responded positively and accepted the fee of £1000 I had offered.

Synonyms: really, completely, simply, plain [informal] More Synonyms of positive

5. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]

If you are positive about something, you are completely sure about it.

I'm as positive as I can be about it.

'She's never late. You sure she said eight?'—'Positive.'

6. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

Positive evidence gives definite proof of the truth or identity of something.

There was no positive evidence that any birth defects had arisen as a result of Vitamin A intake.

positively adverb [ADVERB with verb]

He has positively identified the body as that of his wife.

Synonyms: really, completely, simply, plain [informal] More Synonyms of positive

7. adjective

If a medical or scientific test is positive, it shows that something has happened or is present.

If the test is positive, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed.

He was stripped of his Olympic Hundred Metres gold medal after testing positive for steroids.

8. HIV positive

9. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

You can use positive to emphasize a noun.

[old-fashioned , emphasis]

Good day to you, Bernard! It's a positive delight to see you.

He was in a positive fury.

The man was being a positive embarrassment.

Synonyms: absolute, complete, perfect, right [British , informal] More Synonyms of positive

10. See also positively

11. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

A positive number is greater than zero.

It's really a simple numbers game with negative and positive numbers.

12. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

If something has a positive electrical charge, it has the same charge as a proton and the opposite charge to an electron.

[technical]

positively adverb [ADVERB adjective]

...positively charged ions.

Synonyms: really, completely, simply, plain [informal] More Synonyms of positive

13. proof positive

More Synonyms of positive

positive

(ˈpɒzɪtɪv )

adjective

characterized by or expressing certainty or affirmation

a positive answer

composed of or possessing actual or specific qualities; real

a positive benefit

tending to emphasize what is good or laudable; constructive

he takes a very positive attitude when correcting pupils' mistakes

tending towards progress or improvement; moving in a beneficial direction

5. philosophy

constructive rather than sceptical

(of a concept) denoting the presence rather than the absence of some property

independent of circumstances; absolute or unqualified

7. (prenominal) informal

(intensifier)

a positive delight

8. mathematics

having a value greater than zero

a positive number

designating, consisting of, or graduated in one or more quantities greater than zero

positive direction

9. mathematics

measured in a direction opposite to that regarded as negative

having the same magnitude as but opposite sense to an equivalent negative quantity

10. grammar

denoting the usual form of an adjective as opposed to its comparative or superlative form

11. biology

indicating movement or growth towards a particular stimulus

12. physics

(of an electric charge) having an opposite polarity to the charge of an electron and the same polarity as the charge of a proton

(of a body, system, ion, etc) having a positive electric charge; having a deficiency of electrons

a positive ion

(of a point in an electric circuit) having a higher electric potential than some other point with an assigned zero potential

13. short for electropositive

14.

(of a lens) capable of causing convergence of a parallel beam of light

15. medicine

(of the results of an examination or test) indicating the existence or presence of a suspected disorder or pathogenic organism

16. medicine

(of the effect of a drug or therapeutic regimen) beneficial or satisfactory

17. short for Rh positive

18.

(of a machine part) having precise motion with no hysteresis or backlash

19. mainly US

(of a government) directly involved in activities beyond the minimum maintenance of law and order, such as social welfare or the organization of scientific research

20. economics

of or denoting an analysis that is free of ethical, political, or value judgments

21. astrology

of, relating to, or governed by the group of signs of the zodiac that belong to the air and fire classifications, which are associated with a self-expressive spontaneous nature

noun

22.

something that is positive

23. mathematics

a quantity greater than zero

24. photography

a print or slide showing a photographic image whose colours or tones correspond to those of the original subject

25. grammar

the positive degree of an adjective or adverb

26.

a positive object, such as a terminal or plate in a voltaic cell

27. music

a. Also called : positive organ

a medieval nonportable organ with one manual and no pedals

Compare portative organ

b. a variant spelling of positif

Compare negative

Derived forms

positiveness (ˈpositiveness) or positivity (ˌposiˈtivity)

noun

Word origin of 'positive'

C13: from Late Latin positīvus positive, agreed on an arbitrary basis, from pōnere to place

positive in American English

(ˈpɑzətɪv ; päzˈətiv)

adjective

formally or arbitrarily set; conventional; artificial

a positive law

definitely set; explicitly laid down; admitting of no question or modification; express; precise; specific

positive instructions

having the mind set or settled; confident; assured

a positive person

overconfident or dogmatic

showing resolution or agreement; affirmative; certain

a positive answer

tending in the direction regarded as that of increase, progress, etc.

clockwise motion is positive

making a definite contribution; constructive

positive criticism

unrelated to anything else; independent of circumstances; absolute; unqualified

that has, or is considered as having, real existence in itself, not just in the absence of other attributes

a positive good

based, or asserted as based, on reality or facts

positive proof

10.

concerned only with real things and experience; empirical; practical

11. Informal

complete; absolute; out-and-out

a positive fool

12. Biology

directed toward the source of a stimulus

positive tropism

13. US , Electricity

of, generating, or charged with positive electricity

having a deficiency of electrons

14. Grammar

of an adjective or adverb in its simple, uninflected or unmodified form or degree; neither comparative nor superlative

of this degree

15. Ancient Mathematics

designating a quantity greater than zero, or one to be added; plus

16. Medicine

having or demonstrating, showing, or proving the presence or existence of a condition, an infection, symptoms, bacteria, etc.

a patient who is positive for TB, a positive TB test

17. Photography

with the light and shade corresponding to those of the subject

noun

18.

something positive, as a degree, quality, condition, etc.

; specif.,

a. Electricity

a terminal, electrode, or plate that attracts a flow of electrons from a negative terminal, electrode, or plate, as in a storage battery or dry cell

b. Grammar

the positive degree; also, a word or form in this degree

c. Ancient Mathematics

a quantity greater than zero, or one to be added; plus quantity

d. Photography

a photographic print, or a film for use in a projector, on which light and shadow correspond to what they were in the subject

SIMILAR WORDS: sure

Derived forms

positively (ˈpositively)

adverb

positiveness (ˈpositiveness)

noun

Word origin of 'positive'

ME positif < OFr < L positivus < positus: see position

Example sentences containing 'positive'

There was enough there to be hugely positive about. Times, Sunday Times (2012)At work and home your positive attitude gets good results. The Sun (2014)This means that each new task is positive rather than negative. Atkinson, Jacqueline M Coping with Stress at Work (1988)Social media should be used for promoting positive body images. The Sun (2016)We publish the results of all our studies regardless of whether they are positive or negative. Times, Sunday Times (2015)We will make church a positive experience for outsiders. Christianity Today (2000)Try swapping any negative thoughts for positive ones. The Sun (2012)The day ended on a really positive note. The Sun (2011)We remain very positive that his outlook is bright. Times, Sunday Times (2006)But this position ignores the potential for any positive gains. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The way to do so is to invest in assets having positive net present values. Charles A. D'Ambrosio & Stewart D. Hodges & Richard Brealey & Stewart Myers Principles of Corporate Finance (1991)One horse has tested positive for equine infectious anaemia. The Sun (2012)We have changed the situation in a positive way. The Sun (2011)You just have to keep trying to think positive. Times, Sunday Times (2010)What happened to the joy of building something positive? Times, Sunday Times (2007)There is so much to be positive about. Times, Sunday Times (2015)This assignment has left me feeling rather positive about the warmth and enthusiasm of teenagers. Times, Sunday Times (2009)Use your ability to turn negatives into positives and your stumbling blocks will become stepping stones. The Sun (2015)Many family members have had the same positive experience with low carbs. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The studies suggested a positive effect when one probably did not exist. The Sun (2016)News on the earnings front remains positive. Times, Sunday Times (2010)But there is also the potential for positive surprises. Times, Sunday Times (2009)As long as they are used as a positive force for good rather than seen as a negative. Times, Sunday Times (2014)The main point about daydreaming is that you are feeding your mind positive images which gives your immune system a regular boost. Whiteside, Dr Mike Banish Headaches -how to obtain fast, drug-free relief from headache (1990)

Quotations

positive: mistaken at the top of one's voiceAmbrose Bierce The Devil's Dictionary

You've got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
Elim-my-nate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-BetweenJohnny Mercer Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive