positive

pos|i|tive¹ W2S2 [ˈpɔzıtıv US ˈpa:-] adj

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1¦(attitude)¦

2¦(good thing)¦

3¦(action)¦

4¦(support)¦

5¦(sure)¦

6¦(sign)¦

7¦(proof)¦

8¦(scientific test)¦

9¦(emphasis)¦

10¦(number)¦

11¦(electricity)¦

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[Date: 1300-1400; : Old French; Origin: positif, from Latin positivus, from positus; POSITION¹]

1.) ¦(ATTITUDE)¦

if you are positive about things, you are hopeful and confident, and think about what is good in a situation rather than what is bad

≠ ↑negative positive about

▪ You've got to be more positive about your work.

positive attitude/approach/outlook etc

▪ She's got a really positive attitude to life.

▪ the power of positive thinking

▪ ' Think positive !' she advised herself.

2.) ¦(GOOD THING)¦

good or useful

≠ ↑negative

▪ At least something positive has come out of the situation.

▪ Write down all the positive things about your life.

▪ The rural environment was having a positive effect on the children's health.

▪ It's been a very positive experience for her.

▪ TV can be a positive influence .

▪ the positive contribution to the community made by many older people

▪ It's been a difficult time but, on the positive side , I feel physically fine.

▪ Women should be portrayed in a more positive light .

3.) ¦(ACTION)¦

if you take positive action, you do something definite in order to try and achieve something

▪ We need to take positive steps to improve the situation of families in poverty.

▪ Positive action was required.

▪ It's a relief to know that something positive is being done.

4.) ¦(SUPPORT)¦

expressing support, agreement, or approval

≠ ↑negative

positive response/reaction

▪ The response we've had from the public has been very positive.

▪ We've had a lot of positive feedback from the people of this city.

positive about

▪ Most people have been very positive about the show.

5.) ¦(SURE)¦ [not before noun]

very sure, with no doubt at all that something is right or true

= ↑certain positive (that)

▪ Are you absolutely positive you locked the door?

▪ 'Are you sure about that?' 'Positive.'

6.) ¦(SIGN)¦

showing that something is likely to succeed or improve

▪ The fact that he's breathing on his own again is a positive sign .

7.) ¦(PROOF)¦

positive proof/evidence/identification etc

proof etc that shows that there is no doubt that something is true

▪ The witness made a positive identification.

8.) ¦(SCIENTIFIC TEST)¦

showing signs of the medical condition or chemical that is being looked for

≠ ↑negative

▪ The test results came back positive.

▪ athletes who had tested positive for banned substances

▪ children who are HIV positive

9.) ¦(EMPHASIS)¦ [only before noun]

spoken used to emphasize how good or bad something is

= ↑total

▪ The journey was a positive nightmare.

10.)¦(NUMBER)¦

technical a positive number is more than zero

≠ ↑negative

11.) ¦(ELECTRICITY)¦

technical having the type of electrical charge that is carried by ↑protons

≠ ↑negative

▪ a positive charge

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COLLOCATES for sense 2

something positive

positive thing/aspect

positive effect/result/outcome

positive experience

be/have a positive influence (on somebody)

positive role model (=someone good or successful that people want to be like)

make a positive contribution (=do something good in a situation)

on the positive side/on a positive note (=used when saying what is good about a situation)

in a positive light (=showing the good things about something)

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positive ²

positive² n

a quality or feature that is good or useful

≠ ↑negative

▪ You can find positives in any situation.

▪ Always emphasise the positive .

→↑false positive