Definitions for Optimism
ˈɒp təˌmɪz əmop·ti·mism

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:4.7 / 24 votes

1. optimismnoun

   the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well

2. optimismnoun

   a general disposition to expect the best in all things

GCIDERate this definition:4.6 / 5 votes

1. Optimismnoun

   A habitual tendency or a present disposition to take the most hopeful view of future events, and to expect a favorable outcome even when unfavorable outcomes are possible; -- opposed to pessimism.

WiktionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 2 votes

1. optimismnoun

   a tendency to expect the best, or at least, a favourable outcome

   I love her youth, her beauty and above all her optimism that everything will turn out fine.

2. optimismnoun

   the doctrine that this world is the best of all possible worlds

3. optimismnoun

   the belief that good will eventually triumph over evil

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Optimism

   Optimism is an attitude reflecting a belief or hope that the outcome of some specific endeavor, or outcomes in general, will be positive, favorable, and desirable. A common idiom used to illustrate optimism versus pessimism is a glass filled with water to the halfway point: an optimist is said to see the glass as half full, while a pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The term derives from the Latin optimum, meaning "best". Being optimistic, in the typical sense of the word, is defined as expecting the best possible outcome from any given situation. This is usually referred to in psychology as dispositional optimism. It thus reflects a belief that future conditions will work out for the best. For this reason, it is seen as a trait that fosters resilience in the face of stress.Theories of optimism include dispositional models and models of explanatory style. Methods to measure optimism have been developed within both of these theoretical approaches, such as various forms of the Life Orientation Test for the original dispositional definition of optimism and the Attributional Style Questionnaire designed to test optimism in terms of explanatory style. Variation in optimism and pessimism is somewhat heritable and reflects biological trait systems to some degree. It is also influenced by environmental factors, including family environment, with some suggesting it can be learned. Optimism may also be linked to health.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. optimism

   Optimism is a mental attitude or mindset that reflects a belief or hope that the outcome of a specific endeavor, or outcomes in general, will be positive, favorable, and desirable. It is characterized by the expectation of good outcomes or the belief that things will turn out well, even in the face of adversity or negative situations.

WikidataRate this definition:5.0 / 2 votes

1. Optimism

   Optimism is a mental attitude or world view that interprets situations and events as being best, meaning that in some way for factors that may not be fully comprehended, the present moment is in an optimum state. The concept is typically extended to include the attitude of hope for future conditions unfolding as optimal as well. The more broad concept of optimism is the understanding that all of nature, past, present and future, operates by laws of optimization along the lines of Hamilton's principle of optimization in the realm of physics. This understanding, although criticized by counter views such as pessimism, idealism and realism, leads to a state of mind that believes everything is as it should be, and that the future will be as well. A common idiom used to illustrate optimism versus pessimism is a glass with water at the halfway point, where the optimist is said to see the glass as half full, but the pessimist sees the glass as half empty. The word is originally derived from the Latin optimum, meaning "best." Being optimistic, in the typical sense of the word, ultimately means one expects the best possible outcome from any given situation. This is usually referred to in psychology as dispositional optimism.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Optimism

   op′ti-mizm, n. the doctrine that everything is ordered for the best: a disposition to take a hopeful view of things—opp. to Pessimism.—v.i. Op′timise, to take the most hopeful view of anything.—n. Op′timist, one who holds that everything is ordered for the best.—adj. Optimist′ic.—adv. Optimist′ically.—n. Op′timum (bot.), that point of temperature at which metabolic—i.e. vegetative and fructificative processes are best carried on. [L. optimus, best.]

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:2.0 / 1 vote

1. Optimism

   the doctrine or belief that in the system of things all that happens, the undesirable no less than the desirable, is for the best.

The Roycroft DictionaryRate this definition:1.0 / 2 votes

1. optimism

   1. The instinct to lie. 2. Fatty degeneration of intelligence. 3. A philosophical system that attempts to demonstrate the existence of a pre-established Stupidity. 4. To believe that disease, dirt, earthquakes, fires, wars, politicians, blindness, and burial alive, celebrate and enhance the Glory of God. 5. To whistle while passing a cemetery in the night; to sing a hymn while having a tooth pulled; to smile while being robbed. 6. A tipple invented by Leigh Mitchell Hodges, the basis of which is clams and prune juice. 7. A kind of heart stimulant--the digitalis of failure.

The New Hacker's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. optimism

   What a programmer is full of after fixing the last bug and before discovering the next last bug. Fred Brooks's book The Mythical Man-Month (See Brooks's Law) contains the following paragraph that describes this extremely well: All programmers are optimists. Perhaps this modern sorcery especially attracts those who believe in happy endings and fairy godmothers. Perhaps the hundreds of nitty frustrations drive away all but those who habitually focus on the end goal. Perhaps it is merely that computers are young, programmers are younger, and the young are always optimists. But however the selection process works, the result is indisputable: “This time it will surely run,” or “I just found the last bug.”. See also Lubarsky's Law of Cybernetic Entomology.

The Foolish Dictionary, by Gideon WurdzRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. OPTIMISM

   A cheerful frame of mind that enables a tea-kettle to sing though in hot water up to its nose.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. optimism

   To feel, know and be optimistic.

   The sense of optimism is beautiful to feel.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on May 7, 2020  

Matched Categories

1. • Disposition
   • Hope

How to pronounce Optimism?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Optimism in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Optimism in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Optimism in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of Optimism in a Sentence

1. Chris Zaccarelli:

   It was the tone and the fact he listed out in great detail all the gripes the U.S. has with China, all that trade optimism that's been building has been sucked out of the air and replaced with pessimism.

2. Lloyd Alexander:

   Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.

3. Margaret Yang:

   Fading optimism over a U.S.-China phase-one deal further weighed on oil prices as trade risks are set to rise.

4. Ian Stewart:

   Perceptions of uncertainty have soared to levels last associated with the euro crisis five years ago, the spike in uncertainty has had a toxic effect on business sentiment, with optimism dropping to the lowest level since our survey started in 2007 -- lower, even, than in the wake of the failure of Lehman in late 2008.

5. Robert Parkes:

   We believe that market optimism on the mining sector is at a pretty low level on concerns regarding supply-side issues and the sustainability of Chinese growth. And that makes the sector sensitive to any good news coming through, we are overweight on the mining sector and believe that the pessimism is overdone especially in the current environment where the business cycle indicators are starting to point upwards. It's a cyclical sector and is exposed to a re-acceleration in the global economy.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Optimism
2. ^ GCIDE
   https://gcide.gnu.org.ua/?q=Optimism
3. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Optimism
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimism
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=Optimism
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=Optimism
8. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Optimism
9. ^ The Roycroft Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/36566/36566-h/36566-h.htm#:~:text=Optimism
10. ^ The New Hacker's Dictionary
    https://www.gutenberg.org/files/3008/3008-h/3008-h.htm#Optimism
11. ^ The Foolish Dictionary, by Gideon Wurdz
    https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1989/pg1989-images.html#:~:text=Optimism