Meaning & use
positive outlook
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
a way of thinking that focuses on the good parts of a situation and expects good things to happen
Grammar: Can be used with 'a' or without an article: 'She has a positive outlook' or 'He is known for his positive outlook.'
Patterns
- have a positive outlook
- maintain a positive outlook
- a positive outlook on life
Even after losing her job, she kept a positive outlook and soon found a better one.
His positive outlook on life makes him pleasant to be around.
The team's positive outlook helped them recover from the early setback.
nouncountablebusiness
a prediction or expectation that something will develop well or succeed
Grammar: Often used in business or economic contexts, e.g., 'a positive outlook for the economy'.
Patterns
- a positive outlook for something
- the outlook remains positive
The report offered a positive outlook for the housing market next year.
Analysts have a positive outlook for the company's profits.
Despite the crisis, the bank maintained a positive outlook for small businesses.
Common combinations
- keep a positive outlook
- Try to keep a positive outlook even when things go wrong.
- a positive outlook on life
- Her positive outlook on life is inspiring.
- maintain a positive outlook
- He maintained a positive outlook throughout his treatment.
- a positive outlook for the economy
- The government reported a positive outlook for the economy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- optimism
- Optimism is a general feeling of hope; a positive outlook is a more specific, sustained way of thinking that shapes how you approach situations.
- hopefulness
- Hopefulness is the state of feeling hope; a positive outlook is a broader mental attitude that includes expecting good outcomes.
- positivity
- Positivity refers to the quality of being positive or cheerful; a positive outlook is the perspective itself, not just the quality.
Opposites
Commonly confused: positive outlook or positive attitude?
positive outlook vs positive attitude
A positive attitude is a way of behaving or responding that is optimistic; a positive outlook is a more general and lasting way of seeing the world.
Practice
Choose the sentence that uses 'positive outlook' correctly.
Choose one answer.
The correct preposition after 'outlook' when talking about a person's view is 'on'. 'For' is used for predictions about events (e.g., 'a positive outlook for the economy'), not for personal views. 'At' and 'to' do not collocate with 'outlook' in this sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “positive outlook”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.