positive

1 of 2

adjective

pos·​i·​tive ˈpä-zə-tiv 

ˈpäz-tiv

1

a

: formally laid down or imposed : prescribed

positive laws

b

: expressed clearly or peremptorily

her answer was a positive no

c

: fully assured : confident

positive it was her book

2

a

: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison that is expressed in English by the unmodified and uninflected form of an adjective or adverb and denotes no increase or diminution

b(1)

: independent of changing circumstances : unconditioned

an insurance policy with positive coverage

(2)

: relating to or constituting a motion or device that is definite, unyielding, constant, or certain in its action

a positive system of levers

c(1)

: incontestable

positive proof

(2)

: unqualified

a positive disgrace

3

a

: not fictitious : real

positive social tensions

b

: active and effective in social or economic function rather than merely maintaining peace and order

a positive government

4

a

: indicating, relating to, or characterized by affirmation, addition, inclusion, or presence rather than negation, withholding, or absence

took the positive approach and struck a new deal rather than canceling the contract

b

: having rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original subject

a positive photographic image

c

: contributing toward or characterized by increase or progression

take some positive action

positive cash flow

d

: directed or moving toward a source of stimulation

a positive taxis

e

: real and numerically greater than zero

+2 is a positive integer

5

a(1)

: being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk

(2)

: having more protons than electrons

a positive ion

b(1)

: having higher electric potential and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external circuit

the positive terminal of a discharging storage battery

(2)

: being an electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube

6

a

: marked by or indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation

received a positive response

b

: affirming the presence especially of a condition, substance, or organism suspected to be present

a positive test for blood

also : having a test result indicating the presence especially of a condition, substance, or organism

HIV positive

7

of a lens : converging light rays and forming a real inverted image

8

a

: having a good effect : favorable

a positive role model

b

: marked by optimism

the positive point of view

positively

ˈpä-zə-tiv-lē 

 for emphasis often  ˌpä-zə-ˈtiv-

adverb

positiveness

ˈpä-zə-tiv-nəs 

ˈpäz-tiv-

noun

positive

2 of 2

noun

: something positive: such as

a(1)

: the positive degree of comparison in a language

(2)

: a positive form of an adjective or adverb

b

: something of which an affirmation can be made : reality

c

: a positive photograph or a print from a negative

d

: a positive result (as of a test)

also : a test yielding such a result

Synonyms

Adjective

• favorable
• good

Choose the Right Synonym for positive

sure, certain, positive, cocksure mean having no doubt or uncertainty.

sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

Examples of positive in a Sentence

Adjective

The book had a positive influence on me.

He has been a positive role model for his brother.

Nothing positive came out of that experience.

What are some of the positive things about your job?

The low unemployment rate is a positive sign for the economy.

The company took positive steps to create a safer workplace.

You've got to have a positive attitude to do well in life.

You should try to be more positive about the whole situation.

On the positive side, you will be making more money.

To end on a positive note, we are seeing an increase in sales this month.

Noun

The positives of living in the city include access to public transportation and many interesting restaurants.

The test showed a positive.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In a rare moment of impressive hosting, Vanessa Lachey pointed out that Edmond's traumatic childhood and upbringing might result in him only focusing on the positive memories and blocking out any negative memories as a coping mechanism. —Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025

People with positive parenting feelings exhibited more connectivity changes in parts of the brain that are important for self-control (the middle frontal gyrus) and empathy (the supramarginal gyrus). —Anthony Vaccaro, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2025

Noun

Managing Real Madrid means dealing with superstar players — with all the positives and negatives that can bring. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025

Despite positives, Apple naysayers continue to doubt the stock due to management’s underwhelming artificial intelligence rollout. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin positivus, from positus, past participle of ponere

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing positive

• bilevel positive airway pressure
• continuous positive airway pressure
• false positive
• gram-positive
• positive definite
• positive discrimination
• positive feedback
• positive law
• proof positive
• Rh-positive

Rhymes for positive

• causative
• dispositive
• electropositive
• seropositive

Kids Definition

positive

1 of 2 adjective

pos·​i·​tive ˈpäz-ət-iv 

ˈpäz-tiv

1

a

: clearly or definitely stated

positive orders

b

: filled with confidence : certain

were positive we would win

2

: of, relating to, or having the form of an adjective or adverb that shows no degree of comparison

3

a

: having or showing real existence or activity

positive change in temperature

b

: having the light and dark areas the same as in the original subject

a positive photographic image

c

: being numerically greater than zero

+2 is a positive number

d

: reckoned or proceeding in a direction taken as that of increase or progress

e

: directed or moving toward the source of a stimulus

a positive tropism

4

a

: of, being, or relating to electricity of which the proton is the smallest unit and which is produced in a glass rod rubbed with silk

a positive charge

b

: charged with positive electricity : having a deficiency of electrons

a positive particle

c

: being the part from which the current flows to the external circuit

the positive pole of a storage battery

d

: electron-collecting

—used of an electrode in an electron tube

5

a

: showing acceptance or approval

a positive answer to the question

b

: showing the presence especially of a condition, substance, or living thing suspected to be present

the test for tuberculosis was positive

positively

ˈpäz-ət-iv-lē 

ˈpäz-tiv-lē

ˌpäz-ə-ˈtiv-lē

adverb

positiveness noun

positive

2 of 2 noun

: something positive: as

a

: the positive degree or a positive form in a language

b

: a positive photograph or a print from a negative

Medical Definition

positive

1 of 2 adjective

pos·​i·​tive ˈpäz-ət-iv, ˈpäz-tiv 

1

: directed or moving toward a source of stimulation

a positive taxis

2

: having rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original

a positive photographic image

3

a(1)

: being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk

(2)

: having more protons than electrons

a positive ion

b(1)

: having higher electrical potential and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external circuit

the positive terminal of a discharging storage battery

(2)

: being an electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube

4

a

: marked by or indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation

b

: affirming the presence of that sought or suspected to be present

a positive test for blood

5

of a lens : converging light rays and forming a real inverted image

positively

-lē, for emphasis often ˌpäz-ə-ˈtiv-

adverb

positiveness

ˈpäz-ət-iv-nəs, ˈpäz-tiv- 

noun

positive

2 of 2 noun

1

: a positive photograph or a print from a negative

2

: a positive result (as of a test)

also : a test yielding such a result