pos·i·tive
ˈpä-zə-tiv 
ˈpäz-tiv
1
a
: formally laid down or imposed : prescribed
positive laws
b
: expressed clearly or peremptorily
her answer was a positive no
c
: fully assured : confident
positive it was her book
2
a
: of, relating to, or constituting the degree of comparison that is expressed in English by the unmodified and uninflected form of an adjective or adverb and denotes no increase or diminution
b(1)
: independent of changing circumstances : unconditioned
an insurance policy with positive coverage
(2)
: relating to or constituting a motion or device that is definite, unyielding, constant, or certain in its action
a positive system of levers
c(1)
: incontestable
positive proof
(2)
: unqualified
a positive disgrace
3
a
: not fictitious : real
positive social tensions
b
: active and effective in social or economic function rather than merely maintaining peace and order
a positive government
4
a
: indicating, relating to, or characterized by affirmation, addition, inclusion, or presence rather than negation, withholding, or absence
took the positive approach and struck a new deal rather than canceling the contract
b
: having rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original subject
a positive photographic image
c
: contributing toward or characterized by increase or progression
take some positive action
positive cash flow
d
: directed or moving toward a source of stimulation
a positive taxis
e
: real and numerically greater than zero
+2 is a positive integer
5
a(1)
: being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk
(2)
: having more protons than electrons
a positive ion
b(1)
: having higher electric potential and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external circuit
the positive terminal of a discharging storage battery
(2)
: being an electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube
6
a
: marked by or indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation
received a positive response
b
: affirming the presence especially of a condition, substance, or organism suspected to be present
a positive test for blood
also
: having a test result indicating the presence especially of a condition, substance, or organism
HIV positive
7
of a lens
: converging light rays and forming a real inverted image
8
a
: having a good effect : favorable
a positive role model
b
: marked by optimism
the positive point of view
: something positive: such as
a(1)
: the positive degree of comparison in a language
(2)
: a positive form of an adjective or adverb
b
: something of which an affirmation can be made : reality
c
: a positive photograph or a print from a negative
d
: a positive result (as of a test)
also
: a test yielding such a result
Synonyms
Examples of positive in a Sentence
Adjective
The book had a positive influence on me.
He has been a positive role model for his brother.
Nothing positive came out of that experience.
What are some of the positive things about your job?
The low unemployment rate is a positive sign for the economy.
The company took positive steps to create a safer workplace.
You've got to have a positive attitude to do well in life.
You should try to be more positive about the whole situation.
On the positive side, you will be making more money.
To end on a positive note, we are seeing an increase in sales this month.
Noun
The positives of living in the city include access to public transportation and many interesting restaurants.
The test showed a positive.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
Heading into the selection show for this year’s NCAA Tournament, Franks was still positive.
—Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
However, Harris would have more positives to draw than Trump does.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for positive 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Travelers sicked by the virus in Africa have tested positive for the version in Germany, India, Kenya, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
Heading into the selection show for this year’s NCAA Tournament, Franks was still positive.
—Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
But the billionaire and his business empire face both positives and negatives after Trump won back the presidency in Tuesday’s election.
—Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
However, Harris would have more positives to draw than Trump does.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for positive
Dictionary Entries Near positive
Cite this Entry
“Positive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/positive. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
positive
1 of 2 adjective
pos·i·tive
ˈpäz-ət-iv
ˈpäz-tiv
1
a
: clearly or definitely stated
positive orders
b
: filled with confidence : certain
were positive we would win
2
: of, relating to, or having the form of an adjective or adverb that shows no degree of comparison
3
a
: having or showing real existence or activity
positive change in temperature
b
: having the light and dark areas the same as in the original subject
a positive photographic image
c
: being numerically greater than zero
+2 is a positive number
d
: reckoned or proceeding in a direction taken as that of increase or progress
e
: directed or moving toward the source of a stimulus
a positive tropism
4
a
: of, being, or relating to electricity of which the proton is the smallest unit and which is produced in a glass rod rubbed with silk
a positive charge
b
: charged with positive electricity : having a deficiency of electrons
a positive particle
c
: being the part from which the current flows to the external circuit
the positive pole of a storage battery
d
: electron-collecting
—used of an electrode in an electron tube
5
a
: showing acceptance or approval
a positive answer to the question
b
: showing the presence especially of a condition, substance, or living thing suspected to be present
the test for tuberculosis was positive
positiveness
noun
positive
2 of 2 noun
: something positive: as
a
: the positive degree or a positive form in a language
b
: a positive photograph or a print from a negative
Medical Definition
positive
1 of 2 adjective
pos·i·tive
ˈpäz-ət-iv, ˈpäz-tiv
1
: directed or moving toward a source of stimulation
a positive taxis
2
: having rendition of light and shade similar in tone to the tones of the original
a positive photographic image
3
a(1)
: being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the proton is the elementary unit and which predominates in a glass body after being rubbed with silk
(2)
: having more protons than electrons
a positive ion
b(1)
: having higher electrical potential and constituting the part from which the current flows to the external circuit
the positive terminal of a discharging storage battery
(2)
: being an electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube
4
a
: marked by or indicating acceptance, approval, or affirmation
b
: affirming the presence of that sought or suspected to be present
a positive test for blood
5
of a lens
: converging light rays and forming a real inverted image
positively
adverb
-lē, for emphasis often ˌpäz-ə-ˈtiv-
positive
2 of 2 noun1
: a positive photograph or a print from a negative
2
: a positive result (as of a test)
also
: a test yielding such a result
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