positive

/'pɔzətiv/

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Explanation of the Word "Positive"

Definition: The word "positive" is an adjective that describes something that is good, confident, or affirmative. It can also refer to something that is certain or undeniable. In different contexts, "positive" can mean having a beneficial quality, being sure of something, or indicating an increase.

Usage Instructions:

• As an Adjective: "Positive" is used before nouns to describe a good quality or a confident state. For example, you can say “a positive attitude” or “positive feedback.”
• In Sentences: Use "positive" to express certainty or an affirmative quality. For example, “I am positive that I left my keys on the table.”

Examples:

1. Everyday Usage:

   • "She has a positive outlook on life."
   • "The test results came back positive, meaning the patient is sick."

2. Advanced Usage:

   • "The scientist presented positive evidence that supports the new theory."
   • "In mathematics, positive numbers are greater than zero."

Word Variants:

• Positively (adverb): Used to express certainty or affirmation.
  • Example: "I am positively sure that we will win."
• Positivity (noun): The state of being positive; the quality of being optimistic.
  • Example: "Her positivity is contagious."

Different Meanings:

1. Confident and Certain: "I am positive that he is telling the truth."
2. Good Quality: "There were many positive reviews about the movie."
3. Mathematics: Referring to numbers greater than zero, e.g., positive integers (1, 2, 3…).
4. Medical Context: Indicates the presence of a condition, e.g., a positive pregnancy test.

Synonyms:

• Affirmative
• Certain
• Confident
• Optimistic
• Beneficial
• Constructive

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Stay positive": This means to maintain an optimistic attitude, especially in difficult situations. Example: "Even though he faced challenges, he chose to stay positive."
• "Positive feedback": This refers to comments that are encouraging or supportive. Example: "The teacher gave positive feedback on my essay."

Conclusion:

The word "positive" can be used in many contexts, from expressing confidence or certainty to describing beneficial qualities.

Academic

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

Synonyms

• cocksure
• overconfident
• electropositive
• positively charged
• positivist
• positivistic
• incontrovertible
• irrefutable
• prescribed
• confirming
• plus
• convinced
• positive
• confident
• positive degree