# optimism

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɑptɪmɪzəm/ · frequency rank #11,926

## Definitions
1. a tendency to expect the best, or at least, a favourable outcome
2. the doctrine that this world is the best of all possible worlds
3. the belief that good will eventually triumph over evil

## Etymology
From French optimisme, equivalent to Latin optimus + -ism.

## Easily confused with
- **optimum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/optimism-vs-optimum)
- **Optimus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/optimism-vs-optimus)
- **optimize** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/optimism-vs-optimize)
- **optimist** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/optimism-vs-optimist)
- **optimise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/optimise-vs-optimism)

## Common misspellings (12)
`opitmism`, `opptimism`, `optiimsm`, `optimims`, `optimismm`, `optimissm`, `optimmism`, `optimsim`, `optmiism`, `opttimism`, `otpimism`, `potimism`

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