¹positive

adjective pos·i·tive \ˈpä-zə-tiv, ˈpäz-tiv\

: good or useful

: thinking about the good qualities of someone or something : thinking that a good result will happen : hopeful or optimistic

: completely certain or sure that something is correct or true

Full Definition of POSITIVE

a : formally laid down or imposed : prescribed <positive laws>

b : expressed clearly or peremptorily <her answer was a positive no>

c : fully assured : confident <positive it was her book>

a : of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison that is expressed in English by the unmodified and uninflected form of an adjective or adverb and denotes no increase or diminution

b (1) : independent of changing circumstances : unconditioned <an insurance policy with positive coverage> (2) : relating to or constituting a motion or device that is definite, unyielding, constant, or certain in its action <a positive system of levers>

c (1) : incontestable <positive proof> (2) : unqualified <a positive disgrace>

a : not fictitious : real <positive social tensions>

b : active and effective in social or economic function rather than merely maintaining peace and order <a positive government>

a : indicating, relating to, or characterized by affirmation, addition, inclusion, or presence rather than negation, withholding, or absence <took the positive approach and struck a new deal rather than canceling the contract>

b : having rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original subject <a positive photographic image>

c : contributing toward or characterized by increase or progression <take some positive action> <positive cash flow>

d : directed or moving toward a source of stimulation <a positive taxis>

e : real and numerically greater than zero <+2 is a positive integer>

a (1) : being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk (2) : having more protons than electrons <a positive ion>

b (1) : having higher electric potential and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external circuit <the positive terminal of a discharging storage battery> (2) : being an electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube

a : marked by or indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation <received a positive response>

b : affirming the presence especially of a condition, substance, or organism suspected to be present <a positive test for blood>; also : having a test result indicating the presence especially of a condition, substance, or organism <HIV positive>

of a lens : converging light rays and forming a real inverted image

a : having a good effect : favorable <a positive role model>

b : marked by optimism <the positive point of view>

— pos·i·tive·ly \-lē, for emphasis often ˌpä-zə-ˈtiv-\ adverb

— pos·i·tive·ness \ˈpä-zə-tiv-nəs, ˈpäz-tiv-\ noun

See positive defined for English-language learners

See positive defined for kids

Origin of POSITIVE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin positivus, from positus, past participle of ponere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to POSITIVE

Synonyms: admiring, applauding, appreciative, approbatory, approving, commendatory, complimentary, friendly, good, favorable

Antonyms: adverse, depreciative, depreciatory, derogatory, disapproving, inappreciative, negative, unappreciative, uncomplimentary, unfavorable, unflattering, unfriendly

Synonym Discussion of POSITIVE

sure, certain, positive, cocksure mean having no doubt or uncertainty. sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance <felt sure that I had forgotten something>. certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence <police are certain about the cause of the fire>. positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it <I'm positive that's the person I saw>. cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness <you're always so cocksure about everything>.