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noun

Pollyanna

po-lee-A-nuh
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Pollyanna (noun) means someone who stays relentlessly upbeat and optimistic, even when the situation gives them every reason not to be. Example: “Her coworkers called her a pollyanna for insisting the failed launch was actually a great learning experience.”

noun
1
Someone who stays relentlessly upbeat and optimistic, even when the situation gives them every reason not to be.
"Her coworkers called her a pollyanna for insisting the failed launch was actually a great learning experience."
"Don't be such a pollyanna about it — the numbers really are bad this quarter."
2
A gift exchange (often called Secret Santa) where each participant draws a name and buys a present for that person.
"The office pollyanna had a $20 spending limit this year."

How to use Pollyanna

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who looks on the bright side no matter what — sometimes said admiringly, sometimes as a gentle jab at being unrealistic.

Common mistake

Usually used a little critically, implying the optimism is naive rather than simply positive.

Common pairings
a bit of a pollyanna pollyanna attitude
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Word forms

Plural
Pollyannas
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her coworkers called her a _____ for insisting the failed launch was actually a great learning experience.

Etymology

From the cheerful title character of Eleanor H. Porter's 1913 novel "Pollyanna," whose name later became a byword for unshakeable optimism.

· First attested 1913

Class of 1913 Pollyanna joined the language around 1913.
autistic crossword isotope
See the full Class of 1913 →

Rhymes for Pollyanna

anna wanna Panna kanna nanna manna Hanna Sanna vanna joanna goanna Deanna
See all rhymes for Pollyanna →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Pollyanna” mean?
The word “Pollyanna” means someone who stays relentlessly upbeat and optimistic, even when the situation gives them every reason not to be. In plain terms, someone who looks on the bright side no matter what — sometimes said admiringly, sometimes as a gentle jab at being unrealistic.
How do you pronounce “Pollyanna”?
“Pollyanna” is pronounced po-lee-A-nuh (/ˌpɒliˈænə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Pollyanna” in a sentence?
Here is “Pollyanna” used in a sentence: “Her coworkers called her a pollyanna for insisting the failed launch was actually a great learning experience.”
What part of speech is “Pollyanna”?
“Pollyanna” is a noun.
Where does the word “Pollyanna” come from?
The word “Pollyanna” dates back to around 1913. From the cheerful title character of Eleanor H. Porter's 1913 novel "Pollyanna," whose name later became a byword for unshakeable optimism.
How many meanings does “Pollyanna” have?
“Pollyanna” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who stays relentlessly upbeat and optimistic, even when the situation gives them every reason not to be.