You searched for: “optimist”
optimist (s) (noun), optimists (pl)
1. Someone who believes that the best can and will take place.
2. A person who tends to expect that good things will happen.
3. Somebody who tends to feel hopeful and positive about future outcomes.
4. Anyone who looks on the bright side of things, or takes hopeful views; as opposed to a pessimist.
This entry is located in the following units: -ist (page 42) optim- (page 1)
optimist, pessimist
optimist (AHP tuh mist) (noun)
1. Someone who puts a positive interpretation or spin on actions and events: Jordan is such an optimist because he is sure the rain will stop before the parade begins.
2. A person who usually expects good things to happen: Somehow Pete remained an optimist despite all that had happened to him.
pessimist (PES uh miz" uhm) (noun)
1. An individual who tends to emphasize the negative or who expects the worst possible outcome: It is discouraging to talk with Joe's sister who is always such a pessimist because she is sure that something terrible is about to happen.
2. A person who usually expects bad things to happen: Sharon exclaimed, "Stop being such a pessimist, Shelby! Believe it or not, there is still a very good chance that we will complete this project."

The two detectives on Myrna's favorite TV program are well matched; Don is the eternal pessimist, who believes that nothing is ever going to be solved; Shawna is the cheery optimist, who maintains that it will all come out right.

This entry is located in the following unit: Confusing Words Clarified: Group O; Homonyms, Homophones, Homographs, Synonyms, Polysemes, etc. + (page 2)