Optimistic — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌäp-tə-ˈmi-stik/ op·ti·mis·tic

Meaning & Definition of Optimistic

Optimistic (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or characterized by optimism, feeling or showing hope for the future

Optimistic (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having qualities which inspire hope

    "the economic predictions for the coming year are actually quite optimistic"

    similar: auspicious, bright, encouraging, fair, golden, heartening, hopeful, likely, promising, propitious, rose-colored, roseate, rosy, upbeat
    related: cheering, comforting, reassuring, soothing, assured, confident, decisive, doubtless, positive, sure, unhesitating, beamish, bullish, eupeptic, favorable, good
    opposite: bleak, dark, depressing, desperate, discouraging, disheartening, dismal, downbeat, dreary, gloomy, hopeless, inauspicious, pessimistic, unencouraging, unlikely, unpromising, unpropitious
    near: cheerless, comfortless, doubtful, dubious, uncertain, bearish, grim, negative, unfavorable, funereal, glum, gray, miserable, wretched

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Optimistic

The most common words with a similar meaning to Optimistic:

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

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Optimistic

Words with the opposite meaning of Optimistic:

bleak, dark, depressing, desperate, discouraging, disheartening, dismal, downbeat, dreary, gloomy, hopeless, inauspicious, pessimistic, unencouraging, unlikely, unpromising, unpropitious

Related Words for Optimistic

cheering, comforting, reassuring, soothing, assured, confident, decisive, doubtless, positive, sure, unhesitating, beamish, bullish, eupeptic, favorable, good

Near Antonyms of Optimistic

cheerless, comfortless, doubtful, dubious, uncertain, bearish, grim, negative, unfavorable, funereal, glum, gray, miserable, wretched

Word Forms of Optimistic

Derived words: optimistically (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Optimistic

optimist + -ic:1

First known use: 1834

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Optimistic

Frequently Asked Questions about Optimistic

What does "Optimistic" mean?

"Optimistic" means of, relating to, or characterized by optimism, feeling or showing hope for the future. As an adjective, it is defined as: of, relating to, or characterized by optimism, feeling or showing hope for the future.

What is another word for "Optimistic"?

Other words for "Optimistic" include auspicious, bright, encouraging, fair, golden, heartening, hopeful and likely. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Optimistic" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Optimistic"?

There are 30 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Optimistic". Common alternatives include auspicious, bright, encouraging, fair, golden, heartening, hopeful, likely, promising and propitious.

What is the opposite of "Optimistic"?

Antonyms of "Optimistic" include bleak, dark, depressing, desperate, discouraging, disheartening, dismal and downbeat. Near antonyms include cheerless, comfortless, doubtful and dubious.

How do you use "Optimistic" in a sentence?

Examples of "Optimistic" in a sentence: "the economic predictions for the coming year are actually quite optimistic".

Is "Optimistic" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Optimistic" is an adjective.

Is "Optimistic" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Optimistic" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Optimistic"?

"Optimistic" is pronounced /ˌäp-tə-ˈmi-stik/ and divided into syllables as op·ti·mis·tic.