optimist

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noun op·ti·mist \ ˈäp-tə-mist \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of optimist

:a person who is inclined to be hopeful and to expect good outcomes :someone who is given to optimism

The optimists have faith that no matter how avaricious the age, literature will endure.
—Michael Norman

See optimist defined for English-language learners

See optimist defined for kids

Recent Examples of optimist from the Web

Yet even a barge optimist like Grenville concedes weather can get in the way.

— scott canon, kansascity, "Climate shifts could clog food routes through Kansas City," 8 Aug. 2017
This is the future of wellness, the optimists emphatically say.

— alexandra kirkman, SELF, "The Big, Booming Business of Wellness," 4 Aug. 2017
Online-protest optimists saw the Arab Spring as evidence that these enabling tools create democratic change.

— wendy grossman, Ars Technica, "New book explores how protesters—and governments—use Internet tactics," 23 July 2017
A perfectionist for example might be drawn to the detailed lines of a drawing, while a bubbly optimist might take to the vibrant hues of a watercolor.

— rachel swalin, ELLE Decor, "The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's New Text Service Will Send Art Straight To Your Phone," 20 July 2017
Which makes sense—drug discovery is a particularly volatile business which carries both the hopes of R&D optimists and a high risk of failure.

— Fortune, "Brainstorm Health Daily: July 19, 2017," 19 July 2017
Optimists say that date is at best three years away.

— bill powell, MSNBC Newsweek, "Will Trump Stop the 10 Chinese Companies Supplying North Korea's Nuclear Program?," 13 July 2017
Naturally, the optimists claim that FAANG Inc is still a deal, because its members will prove a fantastic fount of earnings for years to come.

— shawn tully, Fortune, "FAANG Tech Stocks Are No Bargain. Here’s Why," 17 June 2017
His curveball shows exceptionally late break with 1-to-7 shape; some scouts grade it as a future 60 while optimists have rated it as high as a 70.

— jon meoli, baltimoresun.com, "What they're saying about Orioles top draft picks DL Hall, Adam Hall, and Zac Lowther," 13 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'optimist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of optimist

optim(ism) + ¹-ist, probably after French optimiste

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1759

See Words from the same year

Optimist

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noun Op·ti·mist \ ˈäp-tə-mist \

Definition of Optimist

:a member of a major international service club

Recent Examples of optimist from the Web

Yet even a barge optimist like Grenville concedes weather can get in the way.

— scott canon, kansascity, "Climate shifts could clog food routes through Kansas City," 8 Aug. 2017
This is the future of wellness, the optimists emphatically say.

— alexandra kirkman, SELF, "The Big, Booming Business of Wellness," 4 Aug. 2017
Online-protest optimists saw the Arab Spring as evidence that these enabling tools create democratic change.

— wendy grossman, Ars Technica, "New book explores how protesters—and governments—use Internet tactics," 23 July 2017
A perfectionist for example might be drawn to the detailed lines of a drawing, while a bubbly optimist might take to the vibrant hues of a watercolor.

— rachel swalin, ELLE Decor, "The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's New Text Service Will Send Art Straight To Your Phone," 20 July 2017
Which makes sense—drug discovery is a particularly volatile business which carries both the hopes of R&D optimists and a high risk of failure.

— Fortune, "Brainstorm Health Daily: July 19, 2017," 19 July 2017
Optimists say that date is at best three years away.

— bill powell, MSNBC Newsweek, "Will Trump Stop the 10 Chinese Companies Supplying North Korea's Nuclear Program?," 13 July 2017
Naturally, the optimists claim that FAANG Inc is still a deal, because its members will prove a fantastic fount of earnings for years to come.

— shawn tully, Fortune, "FAANG Tech Stocks Are No Bargain. Here’s Why," 17 June 2017
His curveball shows exceptionally late break with 1-to-7 shape; some scouts grade it as a future 60 while optimists have rated it as high as a 70.

— jon meoli, baltimoresun.com, "What they're saying about Orioles top draft picks DL Hall, Adam Hall, and Zac Lowther," 13 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'Optimist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of optimist

Optimist (Club)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1911

See Words from the same year

OPTIMIST Defined for Kids

optimist

noun op·ti·mist \ ˈäp-tə-məst \

Definition of optimist for Students

:a person who habitually expects good things to happen

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Spanish Central: Translation of optimist Nglish: Translation of optimist for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of optimist for Arabic speakers

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