Main Entry: op·ti·mism

Pronunciation: \ˈäp-tə-ˌmi-zəm\

Function: noun

Etymology: French optimisme, from Latin optimum, noun, best, from neuter of optimus best; akin to Latin ops power — more at opulent

Date: 1759

1 : a doctrine that this world is the best possible world
2 : an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome

— op·ti·mist \-mist\ noun

— op·ti·mis·tic \ˌäp-tə-ˈmis-tik\ adjective

— op·ti·mis·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb