positive

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.

“Positive” is pronounced PAH-zih-tihv (/ˈpɑzɪtɪv/ in IPA).

Here is “positive” used in a sentence: “She stayed positive despite the setback.”

Depending on how it is used, “positive” can be an adjective and a noun.

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.".

“Positive” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Positive” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: optimistic, constructive, or good in effect.

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.

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.

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.