optimist

1 of 2

noun (1)

op·​ti·​mist ˈäp-tə-mist 

: 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

Optimist

2 of 2

noun (2)

Op·​ti·​mist ˈäp-tə-mist 

: a member of a major international service club

Examples of optimist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Still, optimists seem to be ruling the market, said Hendricks, so AI companies’ valuations are likely to keep inflating to unprecedented levels. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Morris was a wild-haired and bearded optimist with gentle eyes. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Still, Crow—the ever-optimist, as her body of work proves—clings on to the glimmers of hope from leaders of the world who do show us the best parts of humanity. — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026

Other studies have found that people with a positive mindset are 31% more productive and that optimists outsell their pessimistic peers by 37%. — Harvard Business Review, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Optimist (Club)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1759, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for optimist

• optimised

Kids Definition

optimist

noun

op·​ti·​mist

ˈäp-tə-məst

: an optimistic person