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

Kevin O’Connell has a team full of believers This year’s version of the Vikings have followed the lead of their optimistic head coach. —Steve Silverman, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

There was still an optimistic view that all MLS teams aren’t blatantly skirting the rules. —Emily Olsen, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024

Legend Biotech: Poised for a rebound In the oncology space, several Wall Street analysts are optimistic about the outlook for Legend Biotech . —Christina Cheddar Berk, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2024

Kamala Harris was trying to take a really optimistic tone, while Donald Trump had a much darker tone. —ABC News, 29 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