positive
gb/pˈɑzɪtɪv/ us/pˈɑzɪtɪv/
B1
Anglais
~ 1300
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B1
property
1
Optimistic or confident in outlook
Feeling sure that good things will happen or seeing the good side of things.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is positive about [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'positive' with 'sure' in contexts like 'I am positive he left,' which is a different meaning.
Synonymes
optimistic (Focuses on expecting good outcomes, often in a general sense.)
Antonymes
negative (Focuses on expecting bad outcomes or seeing the bad side of situations.)
Collocations
positive attitude
|positive outlook
|stay positive
|positive mindset
|remain positive
Thèmes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- She always tries to stay positive, even when things are hard.
- The coach was positive about the team's chances.
- His positive attitude helped everyone feel better.
- Despite the setback, they remained positive about the future.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I am positive about my exam.
- She stays positive when it rains.
- He has a positive view of life.
- We try to be positive every day.
adjective
B2
property
2
Indicating the presence of something
Showing that something is there or true, often from a test or check.
Schéma d’usage :
[test/result] is positive for [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may confuse this use with emotional positivity; here it refers to factual presence, not feelings.
Synonymes
confirmed (Emphasizes certainty that something is true or present.)
Antonymes
negative (Indicates absence or lack of something in tests or results.)
Collocations
test positive
|positive result
|positive for COVID-19
|positive diagnosis
Thèmes
science
|health
Exemples
- The test came back positive for the virus.
- She tested positive for the banned substance.
- The sample showed a positive result for bacteria.
Exemples pédagogiques
- I tested positive for flu.
- The result is positive for sugar.
- He is positive for the illness.
adjective
B1
property
3
Completely certain about something
Being 100% sure about something.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is positive that [clause]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse this with 'optimistic'; here it refers to certainty, not hopefulness.
Synonymes
certain (Very close in meaning; interchangeable in most contexts.)
Antonymes
unsure (Not certain or confident about something.)
Collocations
absolutely positive
|quite positive
|positive identification
Thèmes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- I’m positive I left my keys on the table.
- She was positive that she had locked the door.
- Are you positive this is the right address?
Exemples pédagogiques
- I am positive we met before.
- She is positive he is here.
- He is positive about the answer.
adjective
technical
B2
property
4
Having a net electric charge of protons
In science, having more protons than electrons in atoms or particles.
Synonymes
charged (General term for having an electrical charge; not specific to being positive.)
Antonymes
negative (Having more electrons than protons.)
Collocations
positive charge
|positive ion
Thèmes
science
Exemples
- A proton has a positive electric charge.
- The particle became positive after losing electrons.
- Positive ions are attracted to negative ones.
Exemples pédagogiques
- A proton is positive.
- This atom is positive.
- Positive charges go to negative charges.
adjective
B1
property
5
More than zero in amount or value
More than zero in number or amount.
Synonymes
above zero (Plainly describes being greater than zero.)
Antonymes
negative (Less than zero in value or amount.)
Collocations
positive number
|positive growth
Thèmes
math
|science
Exemples
- The company reported positive earnings this quarter.
- Temperatures stayed in the positive range all week.
- In math, a positive number is greater than zero.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Two is a positive number.
- We have positive growth this year.
- The temperature is positive today.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
positive
API
GB/pˈɑzɪtɪv/
US/pˈɑzɪtɪv/
Syllabes et accentuation
pos - it - ive (3 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (pos)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: positive
Famille de mots
Core family
positively
adverb B1
positivity
noun
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
positive thinking
1/pˈɑzɪtɪv θˈɪŋkɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Focusing on good possibilities and outcomes
Trying to think about good things and expect good results instead of bad ones.
Exemples
- Positive thinking can improve your mood and health.
- She believes in the power of positive thinking.
stay positive
1/stˈeɪ pˈɑzɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
Keep an optimistic attitude
Keep feeling hopeful and looking for good things, even when things are hard.
Exemples
- Even during tough times, it's important to stay positive.
- She told her friend to stay positive before the big exam.
test positive for
1/tˈɛst pˈɑzɪtɪv fɚ/
fixed phrase
Be confirmed as having something by a test
When a test shows that you have a specific thing, like a disease or substance.
Exemples
- He tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
- The athlete tested positive for banned drugs.