optimism

optimism — noun

1. a way of thinking in which you expect good results and keep your attention on si

1.nounC2
Definition

a way of thinking in which you expect good results and keep your attention on signs that encourage hope

Example

After the first sales report, the team felt cautious optimism.

common collocation: cautious optimism

Even during treatment, Rosa spoke about the future with optimism.

pattern: with optimism

Common collocations
  • cautious optimism
  • growing optimism
  • renewed optimism
  • optimism about the future
  • fill someone with optimism
Synonyms
  • hopefulness

    close in meaning and often slightly warmer or more emotional

  • confidence

    stronger and more often based on evidence or ability

  • positivity

    more informal and broader, not always about future results

  • idealism

    can suggest hopes that are generous but not fully realistic

Antonyms
  • pessimism

    the habit of expecting bad results

  • despair

    stronger; it suggests little or no hope at all

Grammar Patterns

optimism about something

optimism for something

optimism that-clause

with optimism

Usage Note

Usually uncountable and often followed by about, for, or a that-clause: optimism about the talks, optimism for next year, optimism that prices will fall. Use optimistic when describing a person, comment, or attitude.

Common Mistakes

There is an optimism about the talks now.
There is optimism about the talks now.
This noun is usually uncountable in general statements.
Lina is optimism about the results.
Lina is optimistic about the results.
Optimism is a noun; optimistic is the adjective.

Word family

  • optimistic
    adjectiveB2
  • optimistically
    adverbC1
  • optimist
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Optimism' is a general habit of expecting good results, especially when the future is still uncertain. 'Hope' is often more personal and emotional: you hope for one particular thing, such as a job offer or good news from a doctor. 'Confidence' is firmer and usually rests on evidence, skill, or past success, so it sounds stronger than optimism. 'Positivity' is broader and more informal; it describes a generally upbeat attitude, not only expectations about the future. Compare: a patient may still have hope before a test result, an athlete may have confidence after months of training, and a cheerful teacher may bring positivity to the classroom. Optimism sits between them as a steady expectation that things can go well.

optimism ↗hope ↗confidence ↗positivity ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • cautious optimism
  • growing optimism
  • renewed optimism
  • sense of optimism

Phrases

  • be full of optimism
  • inspire optimism
  • look ahead with optimism

Prepositions

  • optimism about
  • optimism for
  • with optimism

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

English took this word from French 'optimisme' in the 18th century. The French form was built from Latin 'optimus', meaning 'best'. At first the word was linked to the idea that the world is arranged in the best possible way. Later it became the everyday word for expecting good results and seeing hope in a situation.