optimism
gb/ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/ us/ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
B1
Anglais
~ 7500
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B1
state
1
general hopefulness about the future
The feeling or belief that the future will be good and that things will go well.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] feels optimism about [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes say *“I am optimism”* instead of *“I am optimistic”*. Remember: *optimism* is a noun, and *optimistic* is an adjective. Learners also say *“an optimism”* in general statements; usually we say *“optimism”* without *“a”*, for example, *“Optimism is important”*, not *“An optimism is important.”*
Synonymes
hopefulness (Very close in meaning, but focuses slightly more on the emotion of hope than on a general attitude.)
|
positivity (Stresses a positive attitude in general, not only about the future.)
|
confidence (Suggests a strong belief that things will go well, often based on reasons or evidence.)
Antonymes
pessimism (The belief that bad things are more likely to happen or that situations will turn out badly.)
|
cynicism (A distrustful attitude that doubts people’s good intentions and expects disappointing results.)
Collocations
cautious optimism
|guarded optimism
|sense of optimism
|wave of optimism
|renewed optimism
|optimism about the future
Thèmes
emotions
|psychology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- Despite the bad news, there was a sense of optimism in the room.
- Recent job figures have created renewed optimism about the economy.
- Her natural optimism helped the team stay calm during the crisis.
- Many young people express optimism about solving climate change.
- Investors reacted with cautious optimism to the company’s announcement.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I feel optimism about my new job.
- There is a lot of optimism about the future of this city.
- His optimism helps his friends when they have problems.
- The good test results filled her with optimism.
- After the meeting, we had renewed optimism about the project.
Nom
formal
C1
entity
2
philosophical belief world is best
A philosophical idea that our world is basically good, or the best it can be, and that in the end good things will win over bad things.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] defends optimism as a philosophical position
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this specialized philosophical meaning with everyday positive thinking. In academic or historical texts, look for clues like mentions of philosophers, religion, or the Enlightenment to know it is the technical, philosophical sense.
Synonymes
philosophical optimism (A more explicit term that clearly marks this as a technical philosophical position.)
Antonymes
philosophical pessimism (The view that the world is fundamentally bad, meaningless, or the worst possible, opposing philosophical optimism.)
Collocations
philosophical optimism
|Leibnizian optimism
|Enlightenment optimism
|religious optimism
Thèmes
philosophy
|religion
|ideas
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The writer criticizes the naive optimism of the Enlightenment thinkers.
- Leibniz is famous for defending a form of philosophical optimism.
- Some argue that modern history has shattered any optimism about human nature.
- Her early work reflects a strong optimism about scientific progress.
- The film questions the easy optimism found in many classic adventure stories.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Some philosophers write about optimism as a big idea.
- The book talks about optimism, the belief that the world is basically good.
- Many people today do not share the strong optimism of earlier centuries.
- His optimism about human nature comes from his religious beliefs.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
optimism
API
GB/ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
US/ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
Syllabes et accentuation
op - tim - ism (3 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (op)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: optimism
- Plural: optimism
Famille de mots
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
Expressions
economic optimism
1/ˌɛkənˈɑmɪk ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
hopefulness about the economy
The belief that the economy will be strong and do well in the future.
Exemples
- Rising stock prices have increased economic optimism among consumers.
- Recent surveys show a drop in economic optimism this year.
guarded optimism
1/ɡˈɑɹdɪd ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
careful, limited hopefulness
A careful kind of hope, when people think things may be good but do not want to show too much hope.
Exemples
- Officials showed guarded optimism after the first round of talks.
- The team’s coach spoke with guarded optimism about their chances.
optimism about
1/ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
hopeful attitude toward something
Optimistic feelings or beliefs about a particular thing, such as the future, the economy, or a plan.
Exemples
- There is growing optimism about the company’s long-term prospects.
- Scientists have increasing optimism about finding a cure.
optimism bias
1/ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm bˈaɪəs/
fixed phrase
technical
tendency to overestimate good outcomes
The habit, studied in psychology, of thinking good things are more likely and bad things are less likely than they really are.
Exemples
- Optimism bias can cause people to underestimate the risks of a project.
- Researchers have found strong evidence of optimism bias in financial decisions.
renewed optimism
1/ɹinˈud ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
hope that comes back again
Optimism that comes back after it was gone or weak for some time.
Exemples
- The latest results have brought renewed optimism to the research team.
- After months of difficulty, there is renewed optimism about the project’s future.
sense of optimism
1/sˈɛns əv ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
general feeling of hopefulness
A strong feeling that good things will happen, shared by a person or by many people.
Exemples
- There was a new sense of optimism in the country after the election.
- The good news created a sense of optimism in the office.
wave of optimism
1/wˈeɪv əv ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
sudden strong rise in hope
A sudden strong feeling of hope that many people have at the same time.
Exemples
- The announcement sent a wave of optimism through financial markets.
- A wave of optimism followed the signing of the peace agreement.
cautious optimism
1/kˈɔʃəs ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
hopeful but still careful
A feeling that things will probably be good, but with some worry, so you do not feel too sure.
Exemples
- Doctors expressed cautious optimism about her recovery.
- There is cautious optimism that a deal can be reached soon.
cautious optimism
2/kˈɔʃəs ˈɑptɪmˌɪzəm/
fixed phrase
careful, limited hope
A feeling that things may be good, but with some worry, so you do not feel too sure or too happy yet.
Exemples
- There is cautious optimism about the peace talks.
- Scientists expressed cautious optimism after the early test results.
- The team’s win created cautious optimism among fans.