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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

pessimist

PEH-sih-mihst

Pessimist (noun) means someone who habitually expects the worst or focuses on the negative side of things. Example: “As a natural pessimist, he assumed the flight would be delayed.”

noun
1
Someone who habitually expects the worst or focuses on the negative side of things.
"As a natural pessimist, he assumed the flight would be delayed."

How to use pessimist

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person who tends to see the glass as half empty.

Easily confused with

Word forms

pessimists plural

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Fill the gap

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As a natural _____, he assumed the flight would be delayed.

Etymology

From French pessimiste, from Latin pessimus ("worst").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for pessimist

See all rhymes for pessimist →

Frequently asked questions

What does “pessimist” mean?

The word “pessimist” means someone who habitually expects the worst or focuses on the negative side of things. In plain terms, a person who tends to see the glass as half empty.

How do you pronounce “pessimist”?

“Pessimist” is pronounced PEH-sih-mihst (/ˈpɛsɪmɪst/ in IPA).

How do you use “pessimist” in a sentence?

Here is “pessimist” used in a sentence: “As a natural pessimist, he assumed the flight would be delayed.”

What part of speech is “pessimist”?

“Pessimist” is a noun.

Where does the word “pessimist” come from?

The word “pessimist” comes from Latin. From French pessimiste, from Latin pessimus ("worst").

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