optimism

B2 Topic:Psychology & Behavior

US /ˈɑptɪmɪzəm/ UK /ˈɒptɪmɪzəm/ See IPA manual

Freq #14660

Meanings

1

noun
A tendency to expect the best, or to believe that things will turn out well.

Despite the bad news, she faced the future with optimism.
2

noun
The belief that good will ultimately win out over evil or hardship.

His optimism that humanity would solve its problems never faded.

Thesaurus

Opposites

pessimism

Word family

Derived forms cyberoptimismoptimist optimisticoveroptimismpoptimismtechno-optimism

Related forms optimal

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

indomitable optimism
A hopeful outlook that persists despite serious difficulties or setbacks.

Adjective + noun

Simplified etymology

Optimism was coined by 18th-century philosophers for the theory that the existing world is the best of all possible worlds. It derives from Latin optimum, meaning “best thing,” and by the early 19th century had broadened to mean a general tendency to hope for the best.

Etymology

From French optimisme, equivalent to Latin optimus + -ism.

Topics

Psychology & Behavior Abstract Ideas

External links

# optimism

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈɑptɪmɪzəm/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈɒptɪmɪzəm/
**Frequency rank:** 14660

## Meanings
1. A tendency to expect the best, or to believe that things will turn out well.
2. The belief that good will ultimately win out over evil or hardship.

## Examples
- Despite the bad news, she faced the future with optimism.
- His optimism that humanity would solve its problems never faded.

## Antonyms
- pessimism

## Derived Forms
- cyberoptimism
- optimist
- optimistic
- overoptimism
- poptimism
- techno-optimism

## Related Forms
- optimal

## Roots and Affixes
- Affix: -ism - doctrine

## Etymology
From French optimisme, equivalent to Latin optimus + -ism.

## AI Etymology
Optimism comes from French optimisme, equivalent to Latin optimus + -ism. Modern senses include a tendency to expect the best, or to believe that things will turn out well and the belief that good will ultimately win out over evil or hardship. The wider word family includes derivatives such as cyberoptimism, optimist, optimistic, overoptimism, poptimism, and techno-optimism and related forms such as optimal.

## Topics
- Psychology & Behavior
- Abstract Ideas

markdown