noun
positive attitude
POZ-uh-tiv AT-uh-tood
Positive attitude (noun) means a habit of approaching situations, including difficult ones, expecting that things can go well and that effort will make a difference. Example: “She kept a positive attitude through six months of rehab.”
noun
1
A habit of approaching situations, including difficult ones, expecting that things can go well and that effort will make a difference.
"She kept a positive attitude through six months of rehab."
"Employers say a positive attitude matters more than experience for this role."
How to use positive attitude
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExpecting things to work out and acting like they can.
When to use it
Neutral, very common in workplace, sport and self-help contexts; can sound like a cliché in writing that overuses it.
Memory tip
Use towards, not to, for what the attitude is about: 'a positive attitude towards change'.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
maintain a positive attitude
a positive attitude towards work
keep a positive attitude
positive attitude and strong work ethic
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She kept a _____ through six months of rehab.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for positive attitude
See all rhymes for positive attitude →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a positive attitude and toxic positivity?
A positive attitude acknowledges that a situation is hard and still looks for what can be done about it. Toxic positivity refuses to acknowledge the difficulty at all, insisting on good vibes in a way that shuts down honest feelings and leaves problems unaddressed.
How do you describe a positive attitude on a CV?
Show it rather than claim it: describe a time you kept a team going through a setback, took on extra work during a shortage, or turned an unhappy customer around. Recruiters discount the phrase itself because everyone writes it.
Is a positive attitude the same as optimism?
They overlap but are not identical. Optimism is a belief about how things will turn out; a positive attitude is how you behave day to day — staying constructive, willing and pleasant to work with, even when you are not confident of the outcome.
What is the meaning of positive attitude?
"positive attitude" (noun) means a habit of approaching situations, including difficult ones, expecting that things can go well and that effort will make a difference.
