positive

1 of 2

adjective

pos·​i·​tive ˈpä-zə-tiv How to pronounce positive (audio)
ˈpäz-tiv
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
: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison that is expressed in English by the unmodified and uninflected form of an adjective or adverb and denotes no increase or diminution
b(1)
: independent of changing circumstances : unconditioned
an insurance policy with positive coverage
(2)
: relating to or constituting a motion or device that is definite, unyielding, constant, or certain in its action
a positive system of levers
c(1)
: incontestable
positive proof
(2)
: unqualified
a positive disgrace
3
a
: not fictitious : real
positive social tensions
b
: active and effective in social or economic function rather than merely maintaining peace and order
a positive government
4
a
: indicating, relating to, or characterized by affirmation, addition, inclusion, or presence rather than negation, withholding, or absence
took the positive approach and struck a new deal rather than canceling the contract
b
: having rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original subject
a positive photographic image
c
: contributing toward or characterized by increase or progression
take some positive action
positive cash flow
d
: directed or moving toward a source of stimulation
a positive taxis
e
: real and numerically greater than zero
+2 is a positive integer
5
a(1)
: being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk
(2)
: having more protons than electrons
a positive ion
b(1)
: having higher electric potential and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external circuit
the positive terminal of a discharging storage battery
(2)
: being an electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube
6
a
: marked by or indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation
received a positive response
b
: affirming the presence especially of a condition, substance, or organism suspected to be present
a positive test for blood
also : having a test result indicating the presence especially of a condition, substance, or organism
HIV positive
7
of a lens : converging light rays and forming a real inverted image
8
a
: having a good effect : favorable
a positive role model
b
: marked by optimism
the positive point of view
positively
ˈpä-zə-tiv-lē How to pronounce positive (audio)
 for emphasis often  ˌpä-zə-ˈtiv-
adverb
positiveness
ˈpä-zə-tiv-nəs How to pronounce positive (audio)
ˈpäz-tiv-
noun

positive

2 of 2

noun

: something positive: such as
a(1)
: the positive degree of comparison in a language
(2)
: a positive form of an adjective or adverb
b
: something of which an affirmation can be made : reality
c
: a positive photograph or a print from a negative
d
: a positive result (as of a test)
also : a test yielding such a result
Choose the Right Synonym for positive

sure, certain, positive, cocksure mean having no doubt or uncertainty.

sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

Examples of positive in a Sentence

Adjective The book had a positive influence on me. He has been a positive role model for his brother. Nothing positive came out of that experience. What are some of the positive things about your job? The low unemployment rate is a positive sign for the economy. The company took positive steps to create a safer workplace. You've got to have a positive attitude to do well in life. You should try to be more positive about the whole situation. On the positive side, you will be making more money. To end on a positive note, we are seeing an increase in sales this month. Noun The positives of living in the city include access to public transportation and many interesting restaurants. The test showed a positive.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But mostly that’s because of my positive feelings for the rest of the show. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 Fortune Toyota hikes pay Toyota Motor met its union’s pay demands for the fourth year in a row in a positive sign for wage growth in the Asian economy. Alan Murray, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 Despite positive reviews, Key’s humanizes herself by opening up about feeling worthy. Celeste Polanco, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024 The positive effects of the United States’ presence extend beyond the latest round of conflicts. Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 12 Mar. 2024 According to Johns Hopkins, Ayurveda can have positive effects when used as a complementary therapy in combination with standard, conventional medical care. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 Incorporate deep breathing exercises and positive affirmations to calm your nerves before the briefing. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 This, in turn, can have a positive influence on cardiovascular health—though other heart-healthy mechanisms may be at play too. Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2024 The ballots at the bottom of this story will have three categories for high school students: Spirit Award – Nominees for this award are students with a spirit of kindness, positive leadership, encouragement, compassion, volunteerism, perseverance and a will to serve others. Melanie Laughman, The Enquirer, 11 Mar. 2024
Noun
Any sense that Daniels’ ongoing kerfuffle with the 45th President of the United States has been a net positive for her life is put to rest in Sarah Gibson’s new documentary Stormy, premiering at SXSW ahead of a March 18 launch on Peacock. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024 Blanco, 35, frequently posts about fast food on his TikTok account, typically while or after smoking marijuana, but didn't have many positives to share in a review video posted late last week. Lawrence Yee, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024 Rick Snyder, president of the Indianapolis Fraternal Order of Police, said the plan shows many positives. The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024 Hunter Dickinson and Johnny Furphy excel In a game not filled with many positives, Dickinson and Johnny Furphy were major bright spots. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 27 Jan. 2024 That said, much of the positives appear to be priced in for Boston Scientific. Trefis Team, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 But this was by no means only a net positive for body acceptance. Tayler Adigun, Essence, 16 Feb. 2024 But Melissa also enjoys the positives of working with her husband. Makena Gera, Peoplemag, 28 Jan. 2024 Despite all of those positives Liverpool arrived at Brentford's G-tech community stadium having never won there before and without key players like Allison Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'positive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin positivus, from positus, past participle of ponere

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of positive was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near positive

Cite this Entry

“Positive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/positive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

positive

1 of 2 adjective
pos·​i·​tive ˈpäz-ət-iv How to pronounce positive (audio)
ˈpäz-tiv
1
a
: clearly or definitely stated
positive orders
b
: filled with confidence : certain
were positive we would win
2
: of, relating to, or having the form of an adjective or adverb that shows no degree of comparison
3
a
: having or showing real existence or activity
positive change in temperature
b
: having the light and dark areas the same as in the original subject
a positive photographic image
c
: being numerically greater than zero
+2 is a positive number
d
: reckoned or proceeding in a direction taken as that of increase or progress
e
: directed or moving toward the source of a stimulus
a positive tropism
4
a
: of, being, or relating to electricity of which the proton is the smallest unit and which is produced in a glass rod rubbed with silk
a positive charge
b
: charged with positive electricity : having a deficiency of electrons
a positive particle
c
: being the part from which the current flows to the external circuit
the positive pole of a storage battery
d
: electron-collecting
used of an electrode in an electron tube
5
a
: showing acceptance or approval
a positive answer to the question
b
: showing the presence especially of a condition, substance, or living thing suspected to be present
the test for tuberculosis was positive
positively
ˈpäz-ət-iv-lē How to pronounce positive (audio)
ˈpäz-tiv-lē
ˌpäz-ə-ˈtiv-lē
adverb
positiveness noun

positive

2 of 2 noun
: something positive: as
a
: the positive degree or a positive form in a language
b
: a positive photograph or a print from a negative

Medical Definition

positive

1 of 2 adjective
pos·​i·​tive ˈpäz-ət-iv, ˈpäz-tiv How to pronounce positive (audio)
1
: directed or moving toward a source of stimulation
a positive taxis
2
: having rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original
a positive photographic image
3
a(1)
: being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk
(2)
: having more protons than electrons
a positive ion
b(1)
: having higher electrical potential and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external circuit
the positive terminal of a discharging storage battery
(2)
: being an electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube
4
a
: marked by or indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation
b
: affirming the presence of that sought or suspected to be present
a positive test for blood
5
of a lens : converging light rays and forming a real inverted image
positively
-lē, for emphasis often ˌpäz-ə-ˈtiv-
adverb

positive

2 of 2 noun
1
: a positive photograph or a print from a negative
2
: a positive result (as of a test)
also : a test yielding such a result

More from Merriam-Webster on positive

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