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positive

B1
noun
Common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /pˈɒzɪtˌɪv/

US

  • /ˈpɑzətɪv/

Meanings

Adjective

  1. favorable, beneficial, or desirable

  2. hopeful, upbeat, or focused on good outcomes

  3. completely sure or certain

More meanings
  1. expressing agreement, confirmation, or a yes answer

  2. showing that a test detected a condition, substance, or expected finding

  3. greater than zero or on the plus side of a scale

Beyond the definition

"Positive" is a flexible word. Very often, it describes something good, helpful, or hopeful. A person with a positive attitude looks for what can go right instead of focusing only on problems. A positive influence helps people in a healthy or useful way.

It can also mean that something is clearly true or confirmed. A positive identification means there is no doubt about who someone is. In medical testing, a positive result means the thing being tested for was found. In math, a positive number is greater than zero. So, whether you are talking about feelings, facts, or numbers, this word often suggests something good, certain, or confirmed.

Examples

  1. 1

    Attitude

    Try to stay positive, even when the work feels slow.

  2. 2

    Reviews

    The first reviews were very positive.

  3. 3

    Client meeting

    We had a positive meeting with the new client.

  4. 4

    Confidence

    She is positive about the team's chances this year.

    • Patternpositive about + situation

      hopeful or confident about it

More examples
  1. 5

    Feedback

    The manager gave me some positive feedback on the report.

  2. 6

    Certainty

    I'm positive I left my keys on the kitchen table.

    • Patternpositive (that) + statement

      completely sure it is true

  3. 7

    Medical test

    The doctor said the test was positive for flu.

    • Patternpositive for + illness

      showing that a test found it

  4. 8

    Test result

    He tested positive for COVID-19 last week.

    • Patterntest positive for + illness

      receive a result showing that a test found it

  5. 9

    Good point

    On the positive side, the apartment is close to the station.

    • Phraseon the positive side

      used before mentioning a good point

  6. 10

    Mathematics

    In math, five is a positive number, but minus five is negative.

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • positive attitude
  • positive feedback
  • positive outlook
  • stay positive

Word family

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Forms and spellings

2 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • positivenounadjective

Forms

  • positivespluralnounadjective