26984 words

positive

26 definitions • 44 examples
1
full of hope and confidence, or giving cause for hope and confidence:

Examples:

a positive attitude
On a more positive note, we're seeing signs that the housing market is picking up.
The past ten years have seen some very positive developments in East-West relations.
There was a very positive response to our new design - people seemed very pleased with it.
2
certain and without any doubt:

Examples:

[ + (that) ] Are you positive (that) you saw me switch the iron off?
"Are you sure it's okay for me to use your mother's car?" "Positive."
"It was him - I saw him take it." "Are you positive about that?"
3
(of a test) showing that an illness, condition, drug, chemical, etc. is present:

Examples:

a positive pregnancy test
She learned the next day that the test was positive, and her doctor prescribed antibiotics.
4
(of a person or thing) having had a positive test result for something:

Examples:

When the doctor told me I was positive, it was a total shock.
He's HIV positive.
She tested positive for hepatitis.
The urine sample was positive for codeine.
5
A positive sentence or phrase is not a negative sentence (= one that states that something is false) or a question:

Examples:

"I have a plan" is a positive sentence.
6
A positive adjective or adverb is not comparative (= expressing the idea of "more") or superlative (= expressing the idea of "most"):

Examples:

Grammarians would say we are descending the descriptive scale for adjectives, from superlative to comparative to positive.
7
(used to add force to an expression) complete:

Examples:

Far from being a nuisance, she was a positive joy to have around.
8
(of a number or amount) more than zero:

Examples:

Two is a positive number.
9
being the type of electrical charge that is carried by protons
10
having the rhesus factor in the blood:

Examples:

My blood type is O positive.
11
A positive image shows dark areas of what is being photographed as dark and light areas of what is being photographed as light:

Examples:

He transfers the printed photograph to a large canvas backing using a computer able to read a positive image and reproduce it in polychrome.
12
A positive in a situation is a good thing about it:

Examples:

I sat down and wrote out the positives and negatives of having a baby.
They said employees should see the merger as a positive for the company.
13
a result of a scientific test that shows something exists or is present:

Examples:

I thought a positive meant I'd have to get screened more often.
The doping scandal started with an unexpected rash of positives.
14
a normal image in which dark areas of what is being photographed appear dark and light areas of what is being photographed appear light :

Examples:

Using this online tool, it is possible to make a positive from the negative of a photo.
15
without any doubt; certain:

Examples:

I’m absolutely positive that he’s the man I saw.
16
happy or hopeful, or giving cause for happiness or hope:

Examples:

It’s important to have a positive attitude when you have a serious illness.
17
(of a medical test) showing that the disease or condition for which the person is being tested does exist:

Examples:

Her TB test was positive.
18
(used to add force to an expression) complete:

Examples:

She was a positive joy to have around.
19
(of a number or amount) more than zero:

Examples:

Two is a positive number.
20
of the type of electrical charge that a proton has
21
good or useful:

Examples:

Net exports were making a strong positive contribution to western European economic growth.
a positive development/move In general, this is a positive development for consumers because it increases convenience and choice.
a positive aspect/effect/impact These measures should have positive effects on exports and employment.
a positive outcome/result Such methods do achieve positive results when certain key conditions are in place.
22

Examples:

positive feedback/a positive response The response to the marketing campaign has been extremely positive.
23
relating to a number or an amount that is more than zero:

Examples:

a positive balance The current account has also posted positive balances and this trend will continue.
24
hopeful and confident about a situation:

Examples:

remain positive about/on sth The company remains positive on the outlook for high-yield bonds this year.
On a more positive note, we're seeing signs that the housing market is picking up.
positive news for/on sth positive news on trading/for sterling
25
used to describe strong action that is taken to achieve something:

Examples:

Positive action has been taken to change the image of the company.
a positive step toward sth/doing sth Some Wall Street analysts described the management shakeup as a positive step toward restoring the company's credibility.
26
a good aspect, situation, etc.:

Examples:

Higher short-term rates that slow inflation are a positive, not a negative, for bonds.
a lot of/a number of/many positives
As an employer you should emphasize the positive to your employees continually.

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