optimistic

The word "optimistic" traces back to the Latin optimus (meaning "best"), reflecting the belief that the best possible outcome will prevail. The suffix -ist denotes a person who adheres to a philosophy (e.g., "optimist"), while -ic transforms it into an adjective. The term emerged in the 18th century during the Enlightenment, influenced by Leibniz's philosophical optimism, which argued that the world is the "best possible" version of itself. Over time, it evolved to describe a general tendency toward positivity.