optimistic

adjective

op·​ti·​mis·​tic ˌäp-tə-ˈmi-stik How to pronounce optimistic (audio)
: of, relating to, or characterized by optimism : feeling or showing hope for the future
an optimistic outlook
an optimistic economic forecast
a person with a hopeful, optimistic nature
I'm feeling optimistic about our chances.
The streets in question were magnificent commercial thoroughfares, … brimming with heavy streams of eager life—young, fresh, optimistic.Theodore Dreiser
optimistically adverb
thinking optimistically about the future
an optimistically upbeat forecast
Optimistically, he anticipates that nuclear weapons … will never be used in war again … Russell F. Weigley

Examples of optimistic in a Sentence

the economic predictions for the coming year are actually quite optimistic
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But Lazar and Fuhrman were optimistic about school — to a point. Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025 The coal industry is optimistic about the sector’s prospects under Trump, despite the drop in production during the first Trump administration, according to a recent report by S&P Global. David Gelles, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 Many listings are in the range of hundreds to thousands of dollars, although some optimistic sellers are asking for a million or more. Maria Sole Campinoti, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025 How this window ends with Cunha going or not and vital new recruits may well determine the outcome .It all feels sadly depressing with very little in the future to be optimistic about with these dreadful owners . Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for optimistic 

Word History

Etymology

optimist + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of optimistic was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near optimistic

Cite this Entry

“Optimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimistic. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

optimistic

adjective
op·​ti·​mis·​tic
ˌäp-tə-ˈmis-tik
: showing optimism : expecting everything to come out all right : hopeful
optimistically
-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on optimistic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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