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positive

/ˈpɒzɪ̈tɪv/

noun

Meaning

  • A thing capable of being affirmed; something real or actual.

  • A favourable point or characteristic.

  • Something having a positive value in physics, such as an electric charge.

  • (grammar) A degree of comparison of adjectives and adverbs.

  • (grammar) An adjective or adverb in the positive degree.

  • A positive image; one that displays true colors and shades, as opposed to a negative.

  • The positive plate of a voltaic or electrolytic cell.

  • A positive result of a test.

adjective

Meaning

  • Not negative or neutral.

  • Formally laid down.

  • Stated definitively and without qualification.

  • Fully assured in opinion.

    "I’m absolutely positive you've spelt that wrong."

  • Of number, greater than zero.

  • Characterized by constructiveness or influence for the better.

  • Overconfident, dogmatic.

  • Actual, real, concrete, not theoretical or speculative.

  • Having more protons than electrons.

  • (grammar) Describing the primary sense of an adjective, adverb or noun; not comparative, superlative, augmentative nor diminutive.

    "‘Better’ is an irregular comparative of the positive form ‘good’."

  • Derived from an object by itself; not dependent on changing circumstances or relations; absolute.

    "The idea of beauty is not positive, but depends on the different tastes of individuals."

  • Characterized by the existence or presence of distinguishing qualities or features, rather than by their absence.

    "The box was not empty – I felt some positive substance within it."

  • Characterized by the presence of features which support a hypothesis.

    "The results of our experiment are positive."

  • Of a visual image, true to the original in light, shade and colour values.

    "A positive photograph can be developed from a photographic negative."

  • Favorable, desirable by those interested or invested in that which is being judged.

    "The first-night reviews were largely positive."

  • Wholly what is expressed; colloquially downright, entire, outright.

    "Good lord, you've built up a positive arsenal of weaponry here."

  • Optimistic.

    "He has a positive outlook on life."

  • Electropositive

  • Basic; metallic; not acid; opposed to negative, and said of metals, bases, and basic radicals.

  • HIV positive.

  • (New Age jargon) Good, desirable, healthful, pleasant, enjoyable; (often precedes 'energy', 'thought', 'feeling' or 'emotion').

Synonyms

certain,
sure,
wis