Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Characterized by certainty or affirmation: Expressing or implying agreement, acceptance, or confirmation, rather than negation or denial.
   • Constructive, optimistic, or beneficial: Focused on good aspects, progress, or improvement; having a favorable effect.
   • Explicitly laid down or formally stated: Formally established or imposed, as opposed to being natural or customary.
   • Greater than zero: In mathematics, a number that is more than zero.
   • Having a deficiency of electrons; electrically charged with a sign opposite to that of an electron: In physics, describing a type of electric charge.
   • Showing the presence of a particular condition, substance, or organism: In medical or scientific testing, indicating that the tested-for condition is present.

2. Noun:

   • A photographic image showing lights and shadows as they are in the original subject: In photography, the final print or slide where light areas correspond to light areas in the scene.
   • The primary, uncompared degree of an adjective or adverb: In grammar, the basic form of an adjective or adverb (e.g., "fast," "good"), not the comparative or superlative.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • She gave a positive answer, agreeing to the proposal.
  • He maintains a positive outlook on life, even during difficult times.
  • The test results came back positive, confirming the diagnosis.
  • Five is a positive number.
  • The battery has a positive terminal and a negative terminal.

• Noun:

  • The photographer developed the film to create a positive.
  • "Good" is the positive form of the adjective; "better" is the comparative.

Advanced Usage

• "Proof positive": Conclusive or undeniable proof.

  • The signed confession was proof positive of his guilt.

• "In the positive": Affirmatively or favorably.

  • The committee decided in the positive, approving the new policy.

• "Positive thinking": The practice or philosophy of focusing on the good and expecting favorable outcomes.

  • Her success is largely attributed to her habit of positive thinking.

Variants and Related Words

• Positively (adverb): In a positive manner; with certainty or approval.

  • She spoke positively about her experience.

• Positivism (noun): A philosophical system recognizing only that which can be scientifically verified or which is capable of logical or mathematical proof.

  • Logical positivism was an influential school of thought.

• Positivity (noun): The practice of being or tendency to be positive or optimistic in attitude.

  • His general positivity is infectious.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Affirmative, favorable, constructive, optimistic, certain, sure, beneficial, plus.
• Noun: Affirmative, print (in photography).

Antonyms

• Adjective: Negative, pessimistic, unfavorable, uncertain.
• Noun: Negative (in photography).

Related Phrases

• Test positive (for): To have a test result that indicates the presence of a specific condition.

  • The athlete tested positive for a banned substance.

• Positive reinforcement: In psychology, encouraging a behavior by providing a rewarding consequence.

  • Teachers often use positive reinforcement like praise to motivate students.

• Positive discrimination: (Chiefly British) The practice or policy of favoring individuals belonging to groups known to have been discriminated against; similar to "affirmative action."

  • The company's hiring policy includes elements of positive discrimination.

Adjective

1. marked by excessive confidence
   • an arrogant and cocksure materialist
   • so overconfident and impudent as to speak to the queen
   • the less he knows the more positive he gets
2. having a positive charge
   • protons are positive
3. greater than zero
   • positive numbers
4. reckoned, situated or tending in the direction which naturally or arbitrarily is taken to indicate increase or progress or onward motion
   • positive increase in graduating students
5. of or relating to positivism
   • positivist thinkers
   • positivist doctrine
   • positive philosophy
6. impossible to deny or disprove
   • incontrovertible proof of the defendant's innocence
   • proof positive
   • an irrefutable argument
7. formally laid down or imposed
   • positive laws
8. indicating existence or presence of a suspected condition or pathogen
   • a positive pregnancy test
9. involving advantage or good
   • a plus (or positive) factor
10. persuaded of; very sure
    • were convinced that it would be to their advantage to join
    • I am positive he is lying
    • was confident he would win
11. characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
    • a positive attitude
    • the reviews were all positive
    • a positive benefit
    • a positive demand

Noun

1. a film showing a photographic image whose tones correspond to those of the original subject
2. the primary form of an adjective or adverb; denotes a quality without qualification, comparison, or relation to increase or diminution