optimistic
op-tih-MIHS-tihk
Optimistic (adjective) means Hopeful and expecting a good outcome. Example: “I'm optimistic that the weather will clear up before the picnic.”
adjective
1
Hopeful and expecting a good outcome.
"I'm optimistic that the weather will clear up before the picnic."
"The doctors are optimistic about her recovery."
"He stayed optimistic even after losing his job."
How to use optimistic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExpecting things to go well; hopeful.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
cautiously optimistic
optimistic outlook
remain optimistic
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more optimistic
- Superlative
- most optimistic
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I'm _____ that the weather will clear up before the picnic.
Etymology
Formed from optimist plus the adjective ending -ic.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for optimistic
holistic
sadistic
artistic
autistic
logistic
heuristic
statistic
realistic
ballistic
hedonistic
linguistic
futuristic
See all rhymes for optimistic →
Frequently asked questions
What does “optimistic” mean?
The word “optimistic” means hopeful and expecting a good outcome. In plain terms, expecting things to go well; hopeful.
How do you pronounce “optimistic”?
“Optimistic” is pronounced op-tih-MIHS-tihk (/ˌɑptɪˈmɪstɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “optimistic” in a sentence?
Here is “optimistic” used in a sentence: “The doctors are optimistic about her recovery.”
What part of speech is “optimistic”?
“Optimistic” is an adjective.
Is “optimistic” a common word?
“Optimistic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between optimistic and pessimistic?
Optimistic means hopeful and expecting a good outcome, seeing the positive side of things. Pessimistic is the opposite: expecting the worst or focusing on what could go wrong.
What is the difference between optimistic and hopeful?
Both express a positive outlook. Optimistic suggests a general tendency to expect good outcomes, while hopeful focuses more on wanting and expecting one particular thing to happen.
What preposition follows optimistic?
Optimistic is usually followed by 'about,' as in 'optimistic about the future.' It can also be followed by 'that,' as in 'optimistic that things will improve.'
What is the difference between optimistic and confident?
Confident implies certainty about a result or in one's own abilities. Optimistic expresses hope and a positive expectation without that same level of assurance.
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