optimist

1 of 2

noun (1)

op·​ti·​mist ˈäp-tə-mist How to pronounce optimist (audio)
: a person who is inclined to be hopeful and to expect good outcomes : someone who is given to optimism
The optimists have faith that no matter how avaricious the age, literature will endure.Michael Norman

Optimist

2 of 2

noun (2)

Op·​ti·​mist ˈäp-tə-mist How to pronounce Optimist (audio)
: a member of a major international service club

Examples of optimist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Very little that’s good ever happens without an optimist at the helm. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2025 The optimist will see a group that went from the fringes of the playoff discussion to the top of the Eastern Conference, primarily on the backs of players whose best hockey would seem to be in front of them. Sean Gentille, New York Times, 17 May 2025 But a number of optimists see virtue in that speed to market. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 May 2025 Ultimately, the optimists prevailed: Washington allowed Beijing to join the WTO in 2001. Allison Carnegie, Foreign Affairs, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for optimist

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

optim(ism) + -ist entry 1, probably after French optimiste

Noun (2)

Optimist (Club)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1759, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of optimist was in 1759

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Cite this Entry

“Optimist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimist. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

optimist

noun
op·​ti·​mist
ˈäp-tə-məst
: an optimistic person

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