positive
0 antonyms and opposites of positive, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Optimistic, constructive, or good in effect.
How to use positive
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin positivus, related to ponere ("to place"), originally meaning "formally laid down" before it took on its modern sense of "affirmative."
Full origin of positive →Frequently asked questions
What does “positive” mean?
The word “positive” means optimistic, constructive, or good in effect. In plain terms, good, optimistic, certain, greater than zero, or showing a detected result on a test — the meaning shifts with context.
How do you pronounce “positive”?
“Positive” is pronounced PAH-zih-tihv (/ˈpɑzɪtɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “positive” in a sentence?
Here is “positive” used in a sentence: “She stayed positive despite the setback.”
What part of speech is “positive”?
Depending on how it is used, “positive” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “positive” come from?
The word “positive” comes from Latin. From Latin positivus, related to ponere ("to place"), originally meaning "formally laid down" before it took on its modern sense of "affirmative.".
Is “positive” a common word?
“Positive” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “positive” have?
“Positive” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: optimistic, constructive, or good in effect.
What is the difference between positive and negative?
Positive describes something optimistic, constructive, or good in effect; negative describes the reverse — pessimistic, discouraging, or harmful. A positive attitude looks for what can go right, while a negative one dwells on what can go wrong. In many fields the pair also marks presence versus absence, or plus versus minus.
Is positive a good word?
Generally yes — describing someone or something as positive is a compliment, suggesting optimism, encouragement, or a helpful effect. The main exception is technical: a positive medical test or diagnosis means a condition is present, which is often unwelcome news. Context decides whether positive is reassuring or simply factual.
What is an example of a positive attitude?
Someone with a positive attitude might treat a setback as a chance to learn rather than a failure, encourage teammates when a project stalls, or focus on solutions instead of blame. Saying 'we can fix this' rather than 'this is hopeless' captures the constructive, optimistic outlook the word describes.