# optimism vs optimize

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### optimism
*noun · IPA /ˈɑptɪmɪzəm/ · frequency rank #11,926*
a tendency to expect the best, or at least, a favourable outcome

### optimize
*verb · IPA /ˈɑptɪmaɪz/ · frequency rank #18,909*
To act optimistically or as an optimist.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/optimism-vs-optimize