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 of optimistic

• promising
• bright
• hopeful

Examples of optimistic in a Sentence

the economic predictions for the coming year are actually quite optimistic

Recent Examples on the Web

In some ways his death marks the end of a more economically optimistic era for many Chinese who witnessed their country’s sweeping transformation during its reformist years. — Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

But Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University, was more optimistic for Mills, pointing out that incumbents win about 90% of their re-election bids and a nod from the president may help Mills carry the day. — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2026

Brew, of the Eurasia Group, is more optimistic on reaching an interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in the coming weeks. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026

Traders are best served by treating virtual fills as optimistic and expecting live executions to be less forgiving. — Michael Martin, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

optimist + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for optimistic

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

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