Pollyanna

noun

Pol·​ly·​an·​na ˌpä-lē-ˈa-nə 

: a person characterized by irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything

Pollyanna adjective

Pollyannaish

ˌpä-lē-ˈa-nə-ish 

adjective

or less commonly Pollyannish

ˌpä-lē-ˈa-nish 

Word Icons

Examples of Pollyanna in a Sentence

I'm no Pollyanna, but I do think some good will come out of this.

Recent Examples on the Web

The actress, best known for Pollyanna and the original version of The Parent Trap, appeared on the Rosebud podcast with Gyles Brandreth, alongside sister Juliet Mills. — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026

Doom and gloom always sells better than Pollyanna—but Pollyanna turns out to be more accurate, on average, in the long run. — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 14 Jan. 2026

Chris Howe directed the hour, with Gilligan exec producing alongside David Geli and Pollyanna McGirr. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2026

Despite his on-screen demise, Burke — who shares daughter Bluesy LaRue Burke with ex-wife Pollyanna Rose — has learned a lot about parenting from his character. — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025

Burke was previously married to actress Pollyanna Rose, per the Los Angeles Times. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025

Alexi’s tutu-twirling positivity should not be confused with Pollyanna, nor her quirky insights with naiveté. — Rich Roll, Outside, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Pollyanna, heroine of the novel Pollyanna (1913) by Eleanor Porter †1920 American fiction writer

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Pollyanna

• arana
• arcana
• banana
• bandana
• bandanna
• brahmana
• cabana
• campana
• diana
• fianna
• hosanna
• hyaena