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

• bullishness
• sanguinity

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

Maryland voters also show a decline in optimism in the six years since The Post-UMD poll last asked about their views on the direction of the state. —Emily Guskin, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

On Thursday, just six weeks before the French Open, Nadal shared optimism at the prospect of returning to Roland Garros, if not for one last time. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024

Reimagining rocketry The space shuttle project was forged in the optimism of NASA’s Apollo program, which landed 12 astronauts on the surface of the moon and bested America’s Soviet rivals during the Cold War. —Jackie Wattles, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024

In the end, Only God Was Above Us goes out with a sense of cautious optimism. —Jon Freeman, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2024

Disney has always been and will continue to be a source of hope, joy and optimism for people of all ages. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024

Disney executives should let sustainability ride to the rescue, with a buzz of optimism and futuristic energy. —Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Reasons for optimism Fans got a glimpse of Kansas City’s revamped roster this spring. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2024

One product of their collaboration was a finding that overconfidence in conjunction with optimism is an extremely common bias, which leads people to think that wars are quickly winnable and that building projects will be completed on budget. —Robert D. Hershey Jr., New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024

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

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