Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   pos·i·tive

   /ˈpäzədiv/

   adjective

   • 1. consisting in or characterized by the presence or possession of features or qualities rather than their absence.
   • ▪ (of a statement or decision) expressing or implying affirmation, agreement, or permission: "the company received a positive response from investors" Similar affirmativefavorableapprovingin the affirmativegoodconstructiveenthusiasticsupportivereassuringencouragingcorroborativeOpposite negative
   • ▪ (of the results of a test or experiment) indicating that a certain substance or condition is present or exists: "the positive results of a pregnancy test" Similar showing a reactionaffirmativeOpposite negative
   • ▪ (of a person) having a specified condition, or showing traces of a specified substance in their body: "a player had tested positive for cocaine use"
   • 2. constructive, optimistic, or confident: "there needs to be a positive approach to youthful offenders" Similar constructivepracticalusefulpragmaticproductivehelpfulworthwhilebeneficialeffectiveefficaciousoptimistichopefulconfidentforward-lookingcheerfulsanguinebuoyantassuredinformal:upbeatOpposite pessimistic
   • ▪ showing progress, gain, or improvement: "the election result will have a positive effect because it will restore people's confidence" Similar favorablegoodpleasingwelcomepromisingencouraginghearteningpropitiousauspiciousOpposite negative
   • 3. with no possibility of doubt; clear and definite: "he made a positive identification of a glossy ibis" Similar definiteconclusivecertaincategoricalunequivocalincontrovertibleindisputableundeniableincontestableunmistakableunambiguousindubitableunquestionableirrefutablebeyond questionbeyond a doubtabsolutereliablepersuasiveconvincingconcretetangibleclearclear-cutprecisedirectexplicitexpressfirmdecisiverealactualinformal:as sure as eggs is eggsOpposite doubtfuldisputable
   • ▪ convinced or confident in one's opinion; certain: "“You are sure it was the same man?” “Positive!”" Similar certainsureconvincedconfidentsatisfiedfree from doubtassuredpersuadedOpposite uncertainunsure
   • ▪ downright; complete (used for emphasis): informal "it's a positive delight to see you" Similar uttercompletesheerabsoluterealtotalperfectout-and-outpureoutrightthoroughgoingthoroughdownrightunmitigatedunqualifiedconsummateveritablerankunalloyedinformal:rightbloodyfair
   • 4. (of a quantity) greater than zero.
   • 5. of, containing, producing, or denoting an electric charge opposite to that carried by electrons: "each battery has a positive and negative terminal"
   • 6. (of a photographic image) showing lights and shades or colors true to the original.
   • 7. (of an adjective or adverb) expressing a quality in its basic, primary degree.
   • 8. dealing only with matters of fact and experience; not speculative or theoretical.
   • 9. relating to or denoting any of the air or fire signs, considered active in nature.

   noun

   • 1. a good, affirmative, or constructive quality or attribute: "take your weaknesses and translate them into positives"
   • 2. a photographic image showing lights and shades or colors true to the original, especially one printed from a negative: "the photographic process involves separate runs with the red, green, and blue separation positives"
   • 3. a result of a test or experiment indicating the presence of something: "let us look at the distribution of those positives"
   • 4. the part of an electric circuit that is at a higher electrical potential than another point designated as having zero electrical potential: "try linking the signal input directly to positive"
   • 5. a number greater than zero.
   • 6. an adjective or adverb in the positive degree.
   • 7. another term for positif

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French positif, -ive or Latin positivus, from posit- ‘placed’, from the verb ponere. The original sense referred to laws as being formally ‘laid down’, which gave rise to the sense ‘explicitly laid down and admitting no question’, hence ‘certain’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. positiveness noun

   Scrabble Points: 13

   • P

     3

   • O

     1

   • S

     1

   • I

     1

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › positivePositive Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › positive

   • Cached

   1. a. : formally laid down or imposed : prescribed. positive laws. b. : expressed clearly or peremptorily. her answer was a positive no. c. : fully assured : confident. positive it was her book. 2. a.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › positivePOSITIVE Synonyms: 148 Similar and Opposite Words - ...

   www.merriam-webster.com › thesaurus › positive

   • Cached

   Synonyms for POSITIVE: favorable, good, appreciative, friendly, approving, supportive, complimentary, commendatory; Antonyms of POSITIVE: negative, unfavorable, adverse, derogatory, unflattering, uncomplimentary, unfriendly, disapproving

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › positivePOSITIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › positive

   • Cached

   Positive definition: explicitly stated, stipulated, or expressed. See examples of POSITIVE used in a sentence.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPOSITIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   POSITIVE definition: 1. full of hope and confidence, or giving cause for hope and confidence: 2. certain and without…. Learn more.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › positivePositive - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › positive

   In the simplest sense, positive means good — or the opposite of negative. If you have a positive attitude about homework, for example, you're more likely to get positive feedback on your report card.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › positivePositive - definition of positive by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › positive

   • Cached

   1. Characterized by or displaying certainty, acceptance, or affirmation: a positive answer; positive criticism. 2. Measured or moving forward or in a direction of increase or progress: positive steps. 3. a. Desirable, admirable, or beneficial: a woman with many positive qualities; the positive features of this new software. b.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishpositive adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • Cached

   /ˈpɑːzətɪv/ effective/useful. good or useful. The tests have so far yielded positive results. The contributions have a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of children. Overseas investment has had a positive effect on exports. His family have been a very positive influence on him.

9. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishPOSITIVE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary - Cambridge...

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

   • Cached

   POSITIVE definition: 1. feeling happy about your life and your future: 2. Something that is positive makes you feel…. Learn more.

10. www.dictionary.com › browse › positives'POSITIVE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

    www.dictionary.com › browse › positives'

    • Cached

    Positive definition: explicitly stated, stipulated, or expressed. See examples of POSITIVE used in a sentence.

11. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishPOSITIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

    www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

    • Cached

    If you are positive, you are hopeful and confident, and think of the good aspects of a situation rather than the bad ones.