optimistic

adjective

op·​ti·​mis·​tic ˌäp-tə-ˈmi-stik 

: 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

ˌäp-tə-ˈmi-sti-k(ə-)lē 

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

Synonyms

• auspicious
• bright
• encouraging
• fair
• golden
• heartening
• hopeful
• likely
• promising
• propitious
• rose-colored
• roseate
• rosy
• upbeat

Examples of optimistic in a Sentence

the economic predictions for the coming year are actually quite optimistic

Recent Examples on the Web

The outlook for 2025 appears cautiously optimistic. —Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 11 Dec. 2024

But as cannabis research continues to gain traction, the road ahead looks increasingly optimistic. —Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 11 Dec. 2024

When one side is highly optimistic about some upcoming event or outcome, and the other less so, create value by exploring contingent agreements. —Danny Ertel, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Advertisement Mansoor said that OpenAI is sensitive to the concerns raised by creatives about potential job losses, but is optimistic about the opportunities. —Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

optimist + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

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