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 of optimistic

• promising
• bright
• hopeful

Examples of optimistic in a Sentence

the economic predictions for the coming year are actually quite optimistic

Recent Examples on the Web

Zhang plays optimistic puzzle master Florence, and Sula is Conrad’s estranged daughter and criminal psychologist Astrid. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

In July, Puma reported a slip in sales in the second quarter, but the company’s bosses remain optimistic that their plan to bring the brand back to growth by 2027 is on the right track. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

His father’s suicide was a focal point of an emotionally rich second season, in which Ted’s panic attacks led the habitually optimistic coach to seek help from a therapist. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026

Many investors are maintaining an optimistic view of the stock market, however. — Hugh Leask,lee Ying Shan,sarah Min, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

optimist + -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for optimistic

• agonistic
• altruistic
• animistic
• aphoristic
• atheistic
• atomistic
• cabalistic
• calvinistic
• chauvinistic
• dualistic
• egoistic
• egotistic

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