rosy
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈəʊzi/
US
- /ˈroʊzi/
Description
- pinkish
- optimistic
- cheerful
- promising
Think of a sunrise, all soft pinks and golds. That's where "rosy" gets its start. It first described a gentle pink or red color, like the healthy color in someone's cheeks. But "rosy" is not just about color anymore; it often describes something hopeful, pleasant, or likely to go well. A "rosy outlook" means you feel positive about the future. You might also hear about a "rosy picture," which can mean a view that is a little too hopeful and does not show the problems clearly. So if things are looking "rosy," they seem bright, warm, and full of promise.
The word "rosy" began its life describing a pink or reddish hue, like rose petals, a healthy complexion, or the glow of dawn. It suggests warmth, softness, and gentle beauty. You might describe a painting as having "rosy tones" if it is full of pinks and reds.
Over time, "rosy" came to mean more than color. It became closely linked with optimism, happiness, and good health. When we say someone has a "rosy future," we mean things seem likely to turn out well for them. A "rosy glow" can describe healthy color in the face, but it can also suggest warmth, pleasure, or happy memory.
There is also an important extra shade of meaning. "Rosy" can sometimes suggest that something looks better than it really is. If someone gives a "rosy account" of events, they may be leaving out the hard parts and making the situation sound more pleasant than it truly is. In this sense, the word keeps its warm and positive feeling, but it can hint at unrealism or selective memory.
So whether you are describing the color of a sunset, a hopeful plan, or a view of life that may be a bit too cheerful, "rosy" is a word that brings together pink color, warmth, health, and optimism.
Examples
- 1
Business forecast
The company gave investors a rosy forecast for next year.
- 2
Optimistic attitude
She has a rosy view of life, even when things go wrong.
- 3
Nostalgia
His memories made the past seem rosier than it really was.
- 4
Travel promotion
The travel brochure painted a rosy picture of the town.
Phrase
paint a rosy picture
make something seem better than it really is
- 5
Future outlook
After the budget cuts, the future didn't look so rosy.
- 6
Unrealistic optimism
He tends to see new opportunities through rosy glasses.
Phrase
through rosy glasses
in an unrealistically positive way
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- rosyadjective
Forms
- rosiercomparativeadjective
- rosiestsuperlativeadjective