positive

1 of 2

adjective

pos·​i·​tive ˈpä-zə-tiv 

ˈpäz-tiv

1

a

: formally laid down or imposed : prescribed

positive laws

b

: expressed clearly or peremptorily

her answer was a positive no

c

: fully assured : confident

positive it was her book

2

a

: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison that is expressed in English by the unmodified and uninflected form of an adjective or adverb and denotes no increase or diminution

b(1)

: independent of changing circumstances : unconditioned

an insurance policy with positive coverage

(2)

: relating to or constituting a motion or device that is definite, unyielding, constant, or certain in its action

a positive system of levers

c(1)

: incontestable

positive proof

(2)

: unqualified

a positive disgrace

3

a

: not fictitious : real

positive social tensions

b

: active and effective in social or economic function rather than merely maintaining peace and order

a positive government

4

a

: indicating, relating to, or characterized by affirmation, addition, inclusion, or presence rather than negation, withholding, or absence

took the positive approach and struck a new deal rather than canceling the contract

b

: having rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original subject

a positive photographic image

c

: contributing toward or characterized by increase or progression

take some positive action

positive cash flow

d

: directed or moving toward a source of stimulation

a positive taxis

e

: real and numerically greater than zero

+2 is a positive integer

5

a(1)

: being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk

(2)

: having more protons than electrons

a positive ion

b(1)

: having higher electric potential and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external circuit

the positive terminal of a discharging storage battery

(2)

: being an electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube

6

a

: marked by or indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation

received a positive response

b

: affirming the presence especially of a condition, substance, or organism suspected to be present

a positive test for blood

also : having a test result indicating the presence especially of a condition, substance, or organism

HIV positive

7

of a lens : converging light rays and forming a real inverted image

8

a

: having a good effect : favorable

a positive role model

b

: marked by optimism

the positive point of view

positively

ˈpä-zə-tiv-lē 

 for emphasis often  ˌpä-zə-ˈtiv-

adverb

positiveness

ˈpä-zə-tiv-nəs 

ˈpäz-tiv-

noun

positive

2 of 2

noun

: something positive: such as

a(1)

: the positive degree of comparison in a language

(2)

: a positive form of an adjective or adverb

b

: something of which an affirmation can be made : reality

c

: a positive photograph or a print from a negative

d

: a positive result (as of a test)

also : a test yielding such a result

Synonyms

Adjective

• admiring
• applauding
• appreciative
• approbatory
• approving
• commendatory
• complimentary
• favorable
• friendly
• good

Choose the Right Synonym for positive

sure, certain, positive, cocksure mean having no doubt or uncertainty.

sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

Example Sentences

Adjective

The book had a positive influence on me.

He has been a positive role model for his brother.

Nothing positive came out of that experience.

What are some of the positive things about your job?

The low unemployment rate is a positive sign for the economy.

The company took positive steps to create a safer workplace.

You've got to have a positive attitude to do well in life.

You should try to be more positive about the whole situation.

On the positive side, you will be making more money.

To end on a positive note, we are seeing an increase in sales this month.

Noun

The positives of living in the city include access to public transportation and many interesting restaurants.

The test showed a positive.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Tell your kids about your brother and share positive memories of him from your childhood. —Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 5 June 2023

Tell your kids about your brother, and share positive memories of him from your childhood. —Amy Dickinson, BostonGlobe.com, 5 June 2023

The positive outlook Anderson appreciated came in handy in San Francisco. —Keith Thursby, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2023

Meet foundation members, colleagues and neighbors and learn more about making a positive impact in Carlsbad. —Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2023

In videos on TikTok, people have shared positive experiences that ensure a growing crowd in the city on subsequent nights. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 4 June 2023

Biden and McCarthy strained that afternoon to present a positive front. —Tony Romm, Marianna Sotomayor, Leigh Ann Caldwell, Tyler Pager, Jeff Stein, Rachel Siegel, The Washington Post, Anchorage Daily News, 4 June 2023

By far, one of the reviewers’ top positive comments is for every dress wearer’s favorite feature: pockets! —Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 3 June 2023

The key here is to do it without any judgment, either positive or negative. —Sarah Mucha, Women's Health, 3 June 2023

Noun

The year in review file featured plenty of positives. —Joseph Hoyt, Dallas News, 31 May 2023

The pit bull has plenty of positives that are easy to see. —Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 17 May 2023

Goodman: Frightened dog races towards Kirby Smart, rescued at golf tournament Alabama AD breaks silence, touts positives over ‘5 or 6′ creating challenges Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. —Nick Alvarez | [e-mail], al, 11 May 2023

Seeing your situation in all its complexity, which might include a few positives along with the negatives, can supply ideas for practical next steps. —Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2023

Share a true picture of your firm, the job and the team (both positives and negatives), and create a safe space where the candidate can be themselves. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 4 May 2023

The feedback is loaded with positives and improvement tips. —Ndaschel, oregonlive, 20 Apr. 2023

While Xi and China may not have voiced strong support the war in Ukraine, having the West's resources focused on the conflict may represent a net positive for Beijing, said Zev Faintuch, a senior intelligence analyst at Global Guardian, an international security firm. —Karson Yiu, ABC News, 22 Mar. 2023

There are still positives to take from Jon Scheyer’s debut season, but this loss will sting all offseason. —Lindsay Schnell And Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin positivus, from positus, past participle of ponere

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing positive

• false positive
• gram-positive
• positive discrimination
• Rh-positive
• proof positive
• bilevel positive airway pressure
• positive feedback
• positive law
• positive definite
• continuous positive airway pressure

See More

• false positive
• gram-positive
• positive discrimination
• Rh-positive
• proof positive
• bilevel positive airway pressure
• positive feedback
• positive law
• positive definite
• continuous positive airway pressure

See More

Kids Definition

positive

1 of 2 adjective

pos·​i·​tive ˈpäz-ət-iv 

ˈpäz-tiv

1

a

: clearly or definitely stated

positive orders

b

: filled with confidence : certain

were positive we would win

2

: of, relating to, or having the form of an adjective or adverb that shows no degree of comparison

3

a

: having or showing real existence or activity

positive change in temperature

b

: having the light and dark areas the same as in the original subject

a positive photographic image

c

: being numerically greater than zero

+2 is a positive number

d

: reckoned or proceeding in a direction taken as that of increase or progress

e

: directed or moving toward the source of a stimulus

a positive tropism

4

a

: of, being, or relating to electricity of which the proton is the smallest unit and which is produced in a glass rod rubbed with silk

a positive charge

b

: charged with positive electricity : having a deficiency of electrons

a positive particle

c

: being the part from which the current flows to the external circuit

the positive pole of a storage battery

d

: electron-collecting

—used of an electrode in an electron tube

5

a

: showing acceptance or approval

a positive answer to the question

b

: showing the presence especially of a condition, substance, or living thing suspected to be present

the test for tuberculosis was positive

positively

ˈpäz-ət-iv-lē 

ˈpäz-tiv-lē

ˌpäz-ə-ˈtiv-lē

adverb

positiveness noun

positive

2 of 2 noun

: something positive: as

a

: the positive degree or a positive form in a language

b

: a positive photograph or a print from a negative

Medical Definition

positive

1 of 2 adjective

pos·​i·​tive ˈpäz-ət-iv, ˈpäz-tiv 

1

: directed or moving toward a source of stimulation

a positive taxis

2

: having rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original

a positive photographic image

3

a(1)

: being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk

(2)

: having more protons than electrons

a positive ion

b(1)

: having higher electrical potential and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external circuit

the positive terminal of a discharging storage battery

(2)

: being an electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube

4

a

: marked by or indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation

b

: affirming the presence of that sought or suspected to be present

a positive test for blood

5

of a lens : converging light rays and forming a real inverted image

positively

-lē, for emphasis often ˌpäz-ə-ˈtiv-

adverb

positiveness

ˈpäz-ət-iv-nəs, ˈpäz-tiv- 

noun

positive

2 of 2 noun

1

: a positive photograph or a print from a negative

2

: a positive result (as of a test)

also : a test yielding such a result