Positive Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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positive

[ˈpɒzɪtɪv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

attitude

Characterized by or displaying optimism; indicating approval, acceptance, or agreement; full of hope or confident in the future.

Synonyms

confident, encouraging, hopeful, optimistic.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
positive	Use this word when referring to a generally good and affirmative state or attitude. It provides a general sense of affirmation or a constructive outlook. She always maintains a positive attitude, even during tough times. The test results were positive, so we can move forward with the treatment.
optimistic	This is appropriate when you want to convey an overall belief that good things will happen or that the future will be favorable. It denotes a general positive outlook toward the future. He has an optimistic view about the company's prospects. She remained optimistic despite the setbacks.
hopeful	This word is best used when you are expressing a desire or expectation for a positive outcome. It implies looking forward to something with optimism or a sense of expectation. She is hopeful that the new job will be exactly what she’s been looking for. Despite the challenges, they remain hopeful about the future.
confident	This is suitable when you want to express a sense of self-assurance or certainty about abilities or outcomes. It conveys a strong belief in oneself or in the likelihood of success. He felt confident before his big presentation. I'm confident that we will achieve our goals.
encouraging	Use this word when you intend to give support, confidence, or hope to someone. It shows that you are trying to motivate someone to do something or feel better about a situation. Her words were encouraging and made me believe I could succeed. The coach was encouraging his team throughout the game.

Examples of usage

He has a positive outlook on life.
She received positive feedback on her presentation.
I am positive that we can find a solution to this problem.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

electric charge

Having more protons than electrons; having a higher electrical potential.

Synonyms

electron-deficient, proton-rich.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
positive	This word is commonly used to describe a favorable or beneficial outcome, attitude, or condition. It can also refer to a numerical value greater than zero. She has a positive outlook on life The positive test results indicate improvement The number 7 is positive
proton-rich	This term is often used in nuclear chemistry and physics to describe an atom or nucleus that has more protons relative to its neutrons. It can also imply instability or a tendency to undergo certain types of radioactive decay. Proton-rich isotopes can undergo positron emission or electron capture Proton-rich nuclei are typically found in the upper part of the nuclear chart
electron-deficient	This term is used in chemistry to describe molecules or atoms that lack a sufficient number of electrons to be stable. Boron hydrides are electron-deficient compounds Electron-deficient molecules often form unusual bonding structures

Word

Description / Examples

positive

This word is commonly used to describe a favorable or beneficial outcome, attitude, or condition. It can also refer to a numerical value greater than zero.

She has a positive outlook on life
The positive test results indicate improvement
The number 7 is positive

proton-rich

This term is often used in nuclear chemistry and physics to describe an atom or nucleus that has more protons relative to its neutrons. It can also imply instability or a tendency to undergo certain types of radioactive decay.

Proton-rich isotopes can undergo positron emission or electron capture
Proton-rich nuclei are typically found in the upper part of the nuclear chart

electron-deficient

This term is used in chemistry to describe molecules or atoms that lack a sufficient number of electrons to be stable.

Boron hydrides are electron-deficient compounds
Electron-deficient molecules often form unusual bonding structures

Examples of usage

The positive terminal of a battery.
A positive charge.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

photography

A positive image produced on a photosensitive surface, such as a photographic print.

Synonyms

photograph, print.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
positive	This word is used to describe something good, optimistic, or beneficial. It can be used in various contexts such as emotions, situations, or attitudes. She always has a positive outlook on life. The test results were positive, so we can proceed with the treatment.
print	This word can refer to both the act of producing copies of a text or image on paper and the output of this process (i.e., the printed material). It is often used in contexts such as document production, artwork, or photography. Please print out these documents for the meeting. The gallery showcased several prints by famous artists.
photograph	This word refers to an image captured using a camera. It's commonly used when talking about taking pictures, showing pictures, or discussing photography as an art form. She took a beautiful photograph of the sunset. He has a collection of black and white photographs.

Word

Description / Examples

positive

This word is used to describe something good, optimistic, or beneficial. It can be used in various contexts such as emotions, situations, or attitudes.

She always has a positive outlook on life.
The test results were positive, so we can proceed with the treatment.

This word can refer to both the act of producing copies of a text or image on paper and the output of this process (i.e., the printed material). It is often used in contexts such as document production, artwork, or photography.

Please print out these documents for the meeting.
The gallery showcased several prints by famous artists.

photograph

This word refers to an image captured using a camera. It's commonly used when talking about taking pictures, showing pictures, or discussing photography as an art form.

She took a beautiful photograph of the sunset.
He has a collection of black and white photographs.

Examples of usage

She made a positive from the negative.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Positive thinking can lead to better health outcomes, reducing stress and lowering blood pressure.
Cognitive behavioral therapy emphasizes positive thinking patterns to improve mental health and emotional well-being.
Gratitude and positive affirmations are practices known to boost happiness levels and improve overall life satisfaction.

Pop Culture

Songs about positivity, like 'Don't Worry, Be Happy', encourage listeners to maintain a positive outlook.
Movies often portray positivity as an essential character trait for overcoming adversity, like in 'The Pursuit of Happyness'.
Social media trends frequently promote positivity through hashtags like #PositiveVibes, creating communities focused on uplifting content.

Science

Studies show that positive emotions can enhance creativity, leading to better problem-solving capabilities.
Neuroscience reveals that positive thoughts activate the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine, which makes us feel good.
Research suggests that maintaining a positive mindset can strengthen the immune system and improve longevity.

Education

Classroom environments that promote positivity often result in improved student engagement and achievement.
Positive reinforcement, where good behavior is rewarded, is a widely-used technique in education to encourage learning.
Teaching children about positive emotions is vital in social-emotional learning, fostering better interpersonal skills.

Origin of 'positive'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'positus', meaning 'placed' or 'settled', reflecting a sense of certainty.
It evolved to imply assurance and affirmatively identifying as something good or beneficial.
The term has been in use since the 14th century in English, initially referring to established facts or truths.

The word 'positive' originates from the Latin word 'positivus', which means 'placed' or 'put in position'. Over time, the word evolved in meaning to represent characteristics such as optimism, approval, or the presence of an electric charge. The concept of positive thinking has gained popularity in psychology and self-help literature, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an optimistic attitude. In physics, the term 'positive' is used to describe an excess of protons or a higher electrical potential. In photography, a positive image is one that accurately represents the original scene.

See also: posit, positivity, reposition.

Word Frequency Rank

At #923 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.

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920 appointed
921 contact
922 certainly
923 positive
924 attempt
925 wall
926 agreed
...