Word
optimism
Phoneticsop·ti·mism
US/ˈɑptəˌmɪzəm/
UK/ˈɒptɪmˌɪzəm/
Definitions
01positive outlook
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a feeling that good things will happen or that a situation will be successful.
n. a general tendency to expect the best possible outcome or to dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation.
日本語:楽観※
“Despite the difficult news, she maintained her optimism about the future of the company.”
“Market analysts expressed cautious optimism that the new fiscal policy would eventually stabilise the volatile currency.”
Synonyms
02philosophical doctrine
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Religion Academic · Formal
n. the belief that the world we live in is the best one possible.
n. the philosophical doctrine that this world is the best of all possible worlds, or that good will ultimately prevail over evil.
“The professor explained the history of optimism as a religious and philosophical theory.”
“Voltaire's 'Candide' serves as a biting satire of the blind optimism championed by certain eighteenth-century philosophers.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun in this abstract sense.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “optimism” in context.
Verb
01. dampen optimism
“The sudden rise in interest rates served to dampen optimism in the housing market.”
verb + noun
02. exude optimism
“Despite the setbacks, the coach continued to exude optimism during the press conference.”
verb + noun
03. warrant optimism
“While the situation is improving, current conditions do not yet warrant optimism.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. cautious optimism
“The recent economic data has been met with cautious optimism by market analysts.”
adj + noun
05. guarded optimism
“The doctors expressed guarded optimism regarding the patient's recovery after the surgery.”
adj + noun
06. unbridled optimism
“His unbridled optimism about the startup's success was infectious to the whole team.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. grounds for optimism
“The discovery of a new treatment provides genuine grounds for optimism in the medical community.”
noun + prep + noun
08. sense of optimism
“A renewed sense of optimism swept through the country following the election results.”
noun + of + noun
Preposition
09. with optimism
“She looked toward the future with optimism, ready to embrace new challenges.”
prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“The political terrain on trade today is far different than it was amid the premature optimism of last fall.” “Optimism was back at last, on and off the pitch.” Etymology
From French optimisme, equivalent to Latin optimus + -ism.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/optimism
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0