optimism

noun

op·​ti·​mism ˈäp-tə-ˌmi-zəm 

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

expressed optimism about the future of the business

the optimism of cheerleaders

Synonyms

• hopefulness
• brightness
• cheerfulness

Examples of optimism in a Sentence

Both of them expressed optimism about the future of the town.

The early sales reports are cause for optimism.

There is growing optimism that the problem can be corrected.

He maintains a sense of optimism, despite all that has happened.

Recent Examples on the Web

Such ambition and optimism were pervasive across BIO. —Nish Acharya, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

The financial services firm's latest Business Leaders Outlook Survey, released Wednesday, found that optimism for the economy fell to 32 percent in June from 65 percent in January. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

This transit offers luck, well-being, and optimism. —Danijela Pilic, Glamour, 24 June 2025

The result is a Bond that is young and brash, with a cutting sense of humor, but also an optimism and naiveté that might surprise fans of the franchise. —Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French optimisme, from Latin optimum "the best, optimum" + French -isme -ism

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for optimism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

optimism

noun

op·​ti·​mism ˈäp-tə-ˌmiz-əm 

: a habit of expecting everything to turn out for the best

Medical Definition

optimism

noun

op·​ti·​mism ˈäp-tə-ˌmiz-əm 

: an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome

optimist

-məst 

noun

optimistic

ˌäp-tə-ˈmis-tik 

adjective