optimisticop‧ti‧mis‧tic /ˌɒptəmɪstɪk◂ $ ˌɑːp-/ ●●○ adjective 
Bankers are cautiously optimistic about the country’s economic future.optimistic (that) We are still relatively optimistic that the factory can be saved. Andrew took a more optimistic view.2thinking that things will be better, easier, or more successful than is actually possible: an optimistic estimateover-optimistic British English somewhat over-optimistic expectationsTHESAURUSoptimistic believing that good things will happen: · I’m optimistic about our chances of winning.· an optimistic view of the futurehopeful believing that what you hope for will happen: · The test results made him feel more hopeful about his chances of recovery.positive thinking about what is good in a situation, rather than what is bad: · Try to be more positive about your work.· She has a very positive attitude to life.upbeat having a cheerful attitude and showing that you expect to succeed, or that a situation will get better, especially the economic or political situation: · The prime minister was upbeat, predicting that the economy would soon come out of recession.· an upbeat message about the party’s chances of winning the electionbullish feeling confident about the future – used especially when talking the economic situation, or a company’s chances of success: · He’s very bullish about the company’s prospects.· Stockmarket analysts expect the bullish trend to continue.sanguine formal hopeful and not worried about what will happen in the future, especially when the situation seems difficult – a very formal use: · Koons himself somehow remains sanguine in the face of all the criticism.· Other commentators are less sanguine, and fear that the world economy is on the verge of recession.rosy if the future or your life seems rosy, it seems good and you expect good things to happen: · The future looks rosy for the team.· Returning soldiers found life less rosy than they had hoped.· The price of oil keeps going up, and things look pretty rosy for the big oil companies.look on the bright side to consider the good parts of a situation, which seems bad in many other ways – used especially when telling someone that they should do this: · Look on the bright side – it could have been a lot worse.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Although his lawyers were optimistic, they couldn't be sure about the final outcome of the trial.
- an optimistic economic forecast
- Are you still optimistic that the climbers can be rescued?
- I'm pretty optimistic about our chances of winning here today.
- I am very optimistic about the future of our company.
- In spite of all her problems she manages to remain optimistic.
- The company was overly optimistic in its sale projections.
- The Democrats went into this election in an optimistic mood.
- The patient is still in a critical condition but doctors say they are cautiously optimistic that he will make a full recovery.
- We are cautiously optimistic that the trade deal will go through.
- But am I optimistic that things will change?
- But I feel even more optimistic about the future of our world now than I did then.
- Generation X, best known for its pierced bodies and jaded outlook, is more optimistic about Wall Street than previous generations.
- He may be judged excessively optimistic, however, if not utterly desperate, in seeking the votes of leading opposition politicians.
- I got optimistic about making music again through my friends down there, like Nic.
- The builders might have done even better last year had buyers been more optimistic.
THESAURUS
believing that good things will happen: · I’m optimistic about our chances of winning.· an optimistic view of the future
believing that what you hope for will happen: · The test results made him feel more hopeful about his chances of recovery.
thinking about what is good in a situation, rather than what is bad: · Try to be more positive about your work.· She has a very positive attitude to life.
having a cheerful attitude and showing that you expect to succeed, or that a situation will get better, especially the economic or political situation: · The prime minister was upbeat, predicting that the economy would soon come out of recession.· an upbeat message about the party’s chances of winning the election
feeling confident about the future – used especially when talking the economic situation, or a company’s chances of success: · He’s very bullish about the company’s prospects.· Stockmarket analysts expect the bullish trend to continue.
formal hopeful and not worried about what will happen in the future, especially when the situation seems difficult – a very formal use: · Koons himself somehow remains sanguine in the face of all the criticism.· Other commentators are less sanguine, and fear that the world economy is on the verge of recession.
if the future or your life seems rosy, it seems good and you expect good things to happen: · The future looks rosy for the team.· Returning soldiers found life less rosy than they had hoped.· The price of oil keeps going up, and things look pretty rosy for the big oil companies.
to consider the good parts of a situation, which seems bad in many other ways – used especially when telling someone that they should do this: · Look on the bright side – it could have been a lot worse.
Longman Language Activatorexpecting something good to happen someone who is optimistic expects good things to happen: · In spite of all her problems she manages to remain optimistic.· an optimistic economic forecastoptimistic about: · I'm pretty optimistic about our chances of winning here today.optimistic that: · Are you still optimistic that the climbers can be rescued?cautiously/guardedly optimistic (=expecting good things to happen but knowing that they might not happen): · We are cautiously optimistic that the trade deal will go through.overly optimistic (=more optimistic than you should be): · The company was overly optimistic in its sale projections.
someone who always expects good things to happen: · Optimists still believe we can resolve the problem without going to war.
expressing a cheerful attitude and showing that you expect to succeed, even though the situation may not be encouraging: · The senator took an upbeat view of the Republicans' chances in the next election.upbeat about: · Analysts are more upbeat about the long-term outlook for the economy.
to hope that something will happen or that something is true · See you soon, I hope!· Even when everyone else thought he was dead, Julie never stopped hoping.hope (that) · We hurried out of the building, hoping that no one would see us leave.hope to do something · Bob's hoping to travel to Africa next year.hope for · I'm hoping for a better salary in my next job.I hope so spoken · "Have we got enough money for the rent?'' "I don't know. I hope so.''hope and pray · She could only hope and pray that Liza would be back to her normal self the next time she saw her.
hoping that something good is likely to happen: · We don't know if Gascoigne will be fit to play in Saturday's game, but we're all hopeful.hopeful (that): · I'm quite hopeful that I'll get the job.hopeful about: · James felt more hopeful about his future after his chat with his professor.be hopeful of (doing) something British: · The local police are hopeful of catching those responsible for the graffiti.
use this to say that you hope that something will happen the way you want, when you cannot do anything to affect what happens: · "Have you had your test results yet?'' "No. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.''· Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that this idea of yours works.
to hope that a situation will end well, when it is possible that something might go wrong: · He never uses a recipe. He just throws all kinds of food into a pan and hopes for the best.· Every expectant mother goes into labour hoping for the best
British /in hopes that American if you do something in the hope that it will have a good result, you do it because you hope it will make something good happen: · He showed me a photo of his wife, in the hope that I might have seen her.· He was rejecting Nancy in hopes that something better might develop with Lydia.
hoping and expecting that everything will happen in the best way possible: · Although his lawyers were optimistic, they couldn't be sure about the final outcome of the trial.· The Democrats went into this election in an optimistic mood.optimistic about: · I am very optimistic about the future of our company.cautiously optimistic (=optimistic, but realizing that a good result is not definite): · The patient is still in a critical condition but doctors say they are cautiously optimistic that he will make a full recovery.
to hope that one particular thing will happen, because your happiness or all your other plans depend on this: · Sue is pinning all her hopes on getting this job.· ''I do hope she remembers.'' ''Don't pin your hopes on it'', warned David.
to be very hopeful and excited about something, so that you would be very disappointed if it did not happen: have high hopes of doing something: · Sam has high hopes of going to university next year.· Despite our differences, we came here with high hopes of signing a new treaty.have high hopes for: · Japanese car manufacturers have high hopes for increased profits in Europe.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Bankers are cautiously optimistic about the country’s economic future. We’re cautiously optimistic (=fairly hopeful) that some form of agreement will be reached.
1believing that good things will happen in the future OPP pessimisticoptimistic about Bankers are cautiously optimistic about the country’s economic future. British English somewhat over-optimistic expectations
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES somewhat over-optimistic expectations We’re cautiously optimistic (=fairly hopeful) that some form of agreement will be reached. (=expecting good things to happen)· In his speech, the president gave an optimistic forecast for the economy.
· At the beginning of the negotiations, he was in a confident mood.
· Despite her health problems, she has a positive outlook.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· For 1996, however, analysts are cautiously optimistic.· She was weak, but comfortable and I was cautiously optimistic.· But you are cautiously optimistic because of the constructive atmosphere in which the talks took place.· After the meeting, team members felt cautiously optimistic.· The student was cautiously optimistic for the future.· The ideology of environmentalism was cautiously optimistic about social amelioration and human progress.· Moreover, he is cautiously optimistic about the future of societies, claiming there has been a recent rekindling of interest.· But I am cautiously optimistic about the atmosphere in which the talks were conducted.
· The generally optimistic tenor of this debate provides a revealing comparison with those public views examined for the earlier period.· Although generally optimistic, Dan knew that more challenges lay ahead.· I was generally optimistic but emphasised the potential for serious attacks.· The report painted a generally optimistic picture of Britain continuing to recover from the worst recession since 1945.
· Others were less optimistic, pointing out that population and industrial growth would offset the improvements being made.· The study also found that female investors tended to be less optimistic than men.· However, the picture is less optimistic when the figures are looked at a little more closely.· As yet nobody knows, but I am no less optimistic now than I was in those heady days at Treasury.· Specialists on Indochina were considerably less optimistic during the early days of the Truman administration.· Some predicted modest increases, but others were less optimistic.
· Labour partisans were consistently very much more optimistic than Conservatives about the Labour Party's chances of victory.· Generation X, best known for its pierced bodies and jaded outlook, is more optimistic about Wall Street than previous generations.· The rising generation of students were more optimistic about the future and did not carry the emotional burdens of the Cultural Revolution.· School-to-work can engage young people in career planning and make them more optimistic about the future.· A more optimistic note on house prices has been struck by big builders Wimpey.· The builders might have done even better last year had buyers been more optimistic.· If he had been admitted sooner, I should have been more optimistic.· State officials are much more optimistic about the prospects for successfully tracking recipients.
· Even student teachers, who might reasonably be expected to be the least jaundiced and most optimistic informants, aren't happy.· So far, sales are beating even the most optimistic analysts' projections.· This is the most optimistic view of the future.· But even the most optimistic experts are not overly optimistic.· The most optimistic forecast severely reduced activity in residential property; others expected static house sales until the end of the year.· Even the most optimistic specialists predicted moderate disruptions: Some cities would certainly lose power.· This sector was the most optimistic about the near-term outlook, expecting much stronger sales in April.· Under the most optimistic scenarios, it will take 20 years to dispose of the weapons currently viewed as excess.
· Certainly a further ten flying within the next two years is not an over optimistic estimate.· This has proved to be over optimistic as Haymarket was forced to withdraw from the purchase after a key investor pulled out.
· But this must be a cautious and overly optimistic conclusion.· And the media bought the overly optimistic pronouncements without questions.· This account of science is indeed overly optimistic but at the same time limited.· As it turns out, some of these dreams were overly optimistic.· But even the most optimistic experts are not overly optimistic.· Shugart was sued by Lerach the first time for supposedly expressing overly optimistic views to shareholders.· Given that the quarterback will be 41 at the time, that prediction seems overly optimistic.· Others said that that scenario might be overly optimistic.
· I did not feel so optimistic.· Forty-six-year-old Sandy Koicuba is not so optimistic.· But not all of us feel so optimistic about the prospect of aloneness.
· Others qualified to judge have however found this re-reading too optimistic.· He complained bitterly after being surprised by Pat Buchanan in an early primary about a pollster whose predictions had been too optimistic.· But don't be too optimistic and don't imagine that your advice to your daughter will be acceptable.· That was a little too optimistic, it turned out.· Even this may be too optimistic.· But do not be too optimistic, ever.· With the president in his present mood it is probably too optimistic to expect any improvement until after next year's election.· They hope to close the deal by year-end, but that may be too optimistic.
· In this case, the construction timetable proved wrong, as did very optimistic forecasts concerning the rates of inflation and interest.· No one except Guks could have been very optimistic.· It was a very optimistic year for me.· In a normal situation, I would be very optimistic.· I was not very optimistic about the submarine and neither was Eric.· I am very optimistic and excited.· It was very mild, though, and times were really very good and very optimistic.· Boeing set very optimistic performance goals for the Corinth facility when it was established.
· This is generally held to be wildly optimistic, and in some quarters, an impossible timescale.· The figures are wildly optimistic, and could only have been extrapolated from a short trial of about 10 operations.· If this figure proves wildly optimistic, Bill Clinton will either have to propose more cuts or spend more money.· Recent surveys show previous estimates of whale numbers to be wildly optimistic.· Critics argued that these estimates were wildly optimistic or that the original figures were far too low.· The figures were wildly optimistic, although the real events were dramatic enough in themselves.· For another, it assumed a stability in the capitalist system which, then and since, seemed wildly optimistic.
NOUN· In this case, the construction timetable proved wrong, as did very optimistic forecasts concerning the rates of inflation and interest.· The most optimistic forecast severely reduced activity in residential property; others expected static house sales until the end of the year.· The results were wildly ahead of the Democrats' most optimistic forecasts.
· And Dexter tried to calm his faint resentment against her for casting a shadow over his optimistic mood.· The stock market reflected the more optimistic mood, with the FTSE-100 index closing up 18.2 at 2,400.9.
· Others, even during the 1950s, adopted a more optimistic note.· The film ends on an optimistic note.· Dealers would repeat this parrot fashion in the same optimistic note that the director had used on them.· Carolyn Henderson signs off her diary on an optimistic note for his future.· A more optimistic note on house prices has been struck by big builders Wimpey.· The decade could hardly have ended on a more optimistic note.· Maurice Paterson concluded on an optimistic note with references to the many new faces at the sales support conference.· But one of the region's major employers Rover is beginning to sound an optimistic note.
· That's the optimistic outlook of Bordon businessman Philip Voice, who says he's never had it so good.· These facts account for a more optimistic outlook of potential supply given in the 1981 report.
· While this is an optimistic view the necessary conditions of teaching and length of time are not often available.· Shugart was sued by Lerach the first time for supposedly expressing overly optimistic views to shareholders.· The formula of the bookstall blockbuster is only too persuasive, offering an optimistic view of social dangers and confusions.· Few anthropologists share this optimistic view and I certainly do not believe in witchcraft.· This is the most optimistic view of the future.· Theirs is an essentially optimistic view of human nature, one which stresses cooperation, fraternity, egalitarianism.· Essentially this was based on optimistic views about social progress and economic growth.
Bankers are cautiously optimistic about the country’s economic future.optimistic (that) We are still relatively optimistic that the factory can be saved. Andrew took a more optimistic view.2thinking that things will be better, easier, or more successful than is actually possible: an optimistic estimateover-optimistic British English somewhat over-optimistic expectationsTHESAURUSoptimistic believing that good things will happen: · I’m optimistic about our chances of winning.· an optimistic view of the futurehopeful believing that what you hope for will happen: · The test results made him feel more hopeful about his chances of recovery.positive thinking about what is good in a situation, rather than what is bad: · Try to be more positive about your work.· She has a very positive attitude to life.upbeat having a cheerful attitude and showing that you expect to succeed, or that a situation will get better, especially the economic or political situation: · The prime minister was upbeat, predicting that the economy would soon come out of recession.· an upbeat message about the party’s chances of winning the electionbullish feeling confident about the future – used especially when talking the economic situation, or a company’s chances of success: · He’s very bullish about the company’s prospects.· Stockmarket analysts expect the bullish trend to continue.sanguine formal hopeful and not worried about what will happen in the future, especially when the situation seems difficult – a very formal use: · Koons himself somehow remains sanguine in the face of all the criticism.· Other commentators are less sanguine, and fear that the world economy is on the verge of recession.rosy if the future or your life seems rosy, it seems good and you expect good things to happen: · The future looks rosy for the team.· Returning soldiers found life less rosy than they had hoped.· The price of oil keeps going up, and things look pretty rosy for the big oil companies.look on the bright side to consider the good parts of a situation, which seems bad in many other ways – used especially when telling someone that they should do this: · Look on the bright side – it could have been a lot worse.