positive
Included, present, characterized by affirmation.
Word facts
Definition of Positive
Stated definitively and without qualification.
Example sentences
I’m absolutely positive you've spelt that wrong.
The idea of beauty is not positive, but depends on the different tastes of individuals.
Using Positive well
A closer look at how positive is used — meaning in plain English, how close synonyms differ, and examples at different levels.
Good, favorable, or hopeful; or being certain that something is true.
Use it for an optimistic outlook, a favorable result, or firm certainty. It also carries a neutral technical sense (a positive test result, a positive number) where it simply means 'present' or 'greater than zero' rather than 'good'.
Everyday conversation, feedback and reviews, psychology and wellbeing, medical and scientific results, mathematics and electronics.
In medicine, a 'positive' result often means bad news (a disease is present), which is the opposite of the everyday 'good' sense — the word means 'detected', not 'good'.
- optimistic
- Focuses specifically on expecting good outcomes in the future; narrower than the broad 'positive'.
- favorable
- More formal; describes circumstances or judgments that work in your favor rather than a personal outlook.
- upbeat
- Casual and lively; suggests cheerful energy, not just a good attitude.
- affirmative
- Formal and technical; means 'yes' or 'confirming', as in an affirmative answer, not 'happy'.
- constructive
- Stresses being helpful and building something, especially for criticism or feedback.
- negative
- Direct opposite across most senses: unfavorable, pessimistic, or below zero.
- pessimistic
- Opposite only of the 'optimistic outlook' sense.
- unfavorable
- Opposite of the 'favorable result or judgment' sense.
- Beginner She always tries to stay positive when things go wrong.
- In writing The reviews were overwhelmingly positive, praising both the pacing and the performances.
- Advanced His positivity was not naive cheer but a disciplined refusal to let setbacks dictate the mood of the team.
A 'plus' sign is positive — it adds something good or means 'present'.
Related words
Words closely connected to Positive in meaning or use:
Words that rhyme with Positive
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Browse words near Positive
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does positive mean?
Included, present, characterized by affirmation. It is an adjective.
How many syllables does positive have?
There are 3 syllables in positive, divided as pah·zuh·tihv when spoken.
What part of speech is positive?
In a sentence, positive functions as an adjective. As a noun, it names a thing, idea, or concept.
What are synonyms for positive?
Close in meaning to positive are enthusiastic, cocksure, confident, bold — choose the one whose tone fits your sentence.
How do you use positive in a sentence?
Example: "I’m absolutely positive you've spelt that wrong."