optimistic

adjective

op·​ti·​mis·​tic ˌäp-tə-ˈmi-stik How to pronounce optimistic (audio)
: 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 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

Examples of optimistic in a Sentence

the economic predictions for the coming year are actually quite optimistic
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Given the optimistic tone coming from so many world leaders ahead of Donald Trump’s Friday meeting with Vladimir Putin, one might be forgiven for believing a peaceful end to Russia’s war in Ukraine was merely hours away. Philip Elliott, Time, 14 Aug. 2025 Pellegrino did not have specific numbers on ticket sales or corporate sales for this week’s tournament, but was optimistic that the BMW Championship could match or even exceed last year’s numbers. Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2025 For the upcoming mission, optimistic timelines place the Artemis 2 launch as early as February, but the astronauts flying the mission have voiced caution for that expectation. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025 Still, researchers are optimistic that these robotic antelope can gather valuable, real-time data that would otherwise be inaccessible. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for optimistic

Word History

Etymology

optimist + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of optimistic was in 1834

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Optimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimistic. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on optimistic

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