# optimist vs optimistic

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### optimist
*noun · IPA /ˈɑptɪmɪst/ · frequency rank #28,313*
A person who expects a favourable outcome.

### optimistic
*adjective · IPA /ˌɒptɪˈmɪstɪk/ · frequency rank #8,701*
Expecting the best in all possible ways.

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