overoptimistic
|o-ver-op-ti-mis-tic|
🇺🇸
/ˌoʊvərˌɑptɪˈmɪstɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌəʊvəˌɒptɪˈmɪstɪk/
too optimistic
Etymology
'overoptimistic' is a Modern English compound formed from the prefix 'over-' meaning 'excessively' and the adjective 'optimistic'. 'Optimistic' derives ultimately from Latin 'optimus' meaning 'best'.
'optimistic' entered English via French/Latin influence (French 'optimiste' / ultimately Latin 'optimus') and formed the adjective 'optimistic'; later, English added the productive prefix 'over-' to create 'overoptimistic' to indicate excess.
Initially the Latin root 'optimus' meant 'best'; the sense evolved into 'hopeful about the best outcome' in 'optimistic', and 'overoptimistic' took on the narrower meaning 'excessively hopeful or unrealistically positive'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
excessively optimistic — having an unrealistically favourable or hopeful view of future outcomes or the success of a plan.
She was criticized for being overoptimistic about the project's timeline.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/05 01:38