optimistic

adjective

op·​ti·​mis·​tic ˌäp-tə-ˈmi-stik 

: of, relating to, or characterized by optimism : feeling or showing hope for the future

an optimistic outlook

an optimistic economic forecast

a person with a hopeful, optimistic nature

I'm feeling optimistic about our chances.

The streets in question were magnificent commercial thoroughfares, … brimming with heavy streams of eager life—young, fresh, optimistic.

—Theodore Dreiser

optimistically

ˌäp-tə-ˈmi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

thinking optimistically about the future

an optimistically upbeat forecast

Optimistically, he anticipates that nuclear weapons … will never be used in war again …

—Russell F. Weigley

Synonyms

• auspicious
• bright
• encouraging
• fair
• golden
• heartening
• hopeful
• likely
• promising
• propitious
• rose-colored
• roseate
• rosy
• upbeat

Examples of optimistic in a Sentence

the economic predictions for the coming year are actually quite optimistic

Recent Examples on the Web

Looking Ahead for Europe’s Innovation Potential Still, there are reasons to be optimistic. —Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Nobody really knows, but to be happy, the key is to be optimistic. —The Learning Network, New York Times, 22 May 2025

Still, Smith is optimistic about the team’s outlook. —Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 22 May 2025

Knowledge of controversy aside, Davis remains optimistic about the new series coming from HBO. —EW.com, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

optimist + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for optimistic

• agonistic
• altruistic
• animistic
• aphoristic
• atheistic
• cabalistic
• calvinistic
• chauvinistic
• dualistic
• egoistic
• egotistic
• eucharistic

Kids Definition

optimistic

adjective

op·​ti·​mis·​tic

ˌäp-tə-ˈmis-tik

: showing optimism : expecting everything to come out all right : hopeful

optimistically

-ti-k(ə-)lē

adverb