Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
optician
optics
optima
optimal
optimal contract
optimal portfolio
optimal redemption provision
optimise
optimism
optimist
optimistic
optimize
optimum
optimum population
option
option account
option buyer
Click to move down the list of words
Print Preview
See pronunciation key
Search for "optimism" in all of MSN Encarta
E-mail this entry
Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces
Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

optimism

op·ti·mism [ óptə mìzzəm ]


noun 
Definition:
 
1. tendency to expect best: the tendency to believe, expect, or hope that things will turn out well

2. confidence: the attitude of somebody who feels positive or confident

3. philosophy doctrine that our world is best: a philosophical doctrine, first proposed by Leibnitz, that ours is the best of all possible worlds

4. philosophy belief in power of good: the belief that things are continually getting better and that good will ultimately triumph over evil

[Mid-18th century. < French optimisme< Latin optimum (see optimum)]
Advertisement

Also on Encarta
Englishtown: Learn English online
Our Partners
Also on MSN
Encarta Message Boards (© Rubberball/Jupiterimages)
Shopping
© 2009 Microsoft