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positive Definition

posi·tive (päz′ə tiv)

adjective

  1. formally or arbitrarily set; conventional; artificial a positive law
  2. definitely set; explicitly laid down; admitting of no question or modification; express; precise; specific positive instructions
    1. having the mind set or settled; confident; assured a positive person
    2. overconfident or dogmatic
  4. showing resolution or agreement; affirmative; certain a positive answer
  5. tending in the direction regarded as that of increase, progress, etc. clockwise motion is positive
  6. making a definite contribution; constructive positive criticism
  7. unrelated to anything else; independent of circumstances; absolute; unqualified
  8. that has, or is considered as having, real existence in itself, not just in the absence of other attributes a positive good
  9. based, or asserted as based, on reality or facts positive proof
  10. concerned only with real things and experience; empirical; practical
  11. Informal complete; absolute; out-and-out a positive fool
  12. Biol. directed toward the source of a stimulus positive tropism
  13. ☆ Elec.
    1. of, generating, or charged with positive electricity
    2. having a deficiency of electrons
  14. Gram.
    1. of an adjective or adverb in its simple, uninflected or unmodified form or degree; neither comparative nor superlative
    2. of this degree
  15. Math. designating a quantity greater than zero, or one to be added; plus
  16. Med. having or demonstrating, showing, or proving the presence or existence of a condition, an infection, symptoms, bacteria, etc. a patient who is positive for TB, a positive TB test
  17. Photog. with the light and shade corresponding to those of the subject

Etymology: ME positif < OFr < L positivus < positus: see position

noun

something positive, as a degree, quality, condition, etc.; specif.,

  1. Elec. a terminal, electrode, or plate that attracts a flow of electrons from a negative terminal, electrode, or plate, as in a storage battery or dry cell
  2. Gram. the positive degree; also, a word or form in this degree
  3. Math. a quantity greater than zero, or one to be added; plus quantity
  4. Photog. a photographic print, or a film for use in a projector, on which light and shadow correspond to what they were in the subject

positive Related Forms

pos′i·tively adverb pos′i·tive·ness noun

positive Synonyms

positive

modif.

  1. Definite

    decisive, actual, concrete; see definite 1, real 2.

  2. Emphatic

    peremptory, assertive, obstinate; see emphatic 1, resolute 2.

  3. Certain

    sure, convinced, confident; see accurate 1, certain 1, 3. See syn. study at sure.

positive Telecom Definition

  1. Something with the same charge (+) as a proton and opposite the negative (-) charge of an electron.
  2. Something with higher electric potential than the ground or a defined null or neutral point. Electrons flow from the positive point in a circuit. See also negative, null, and potential.
  3. Yes.

positive Usage Examples

Converse of object

minimize: By doing this, you help minimize false positives.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

do: Helping the planet The weeks provide participants with the chance to do something positive to help the planet.

Adjective modifier

false: By doing this, you help minimize false positives.

Modifies a noun

  • attitude: Trust in God is a positive attitude implicit with action.
  • feedback: Still, the press sent a very positive feedback.
  • impact: The video has already made a positive impact on lunchtimes.
  • contribution: In all, the volume is a very positive contribution.
  • outcome: They have also welcomed the positive outcome of the 2000 NPT Review Conference.
  • response: Highest levels of positive response occurred in the area of school culture.

Modifying Another Word

  • overwhelmingly: Mr Caulfield said: " The initial response was overwhelmingly positive.
  • extremely: The outcome of the advanced testing we have conducted has been extremely positive.
  • very: Still, the press sent a very positive feedback.
  • generally: In relation to the former report the Highland experience broadly matched the national findings which were generally positive.

Used with adjective complement

  • test: About 40 per cent of the rinsing water used for the toothbrushes in the test tested positive for the virus.
  • feel: Within a couple of months I did start to feel more positive.
  • remain: Some small schools do not measure up and there are many good large schools but the overall picture remains indisputably positive.
  • prove: Athletes will be subjected to urine and blood tests, both of which must prove positive before sanctions are threatened.
  • think: THINK POSITIVE... Instead of thinking up all the negative things associated with your job, try and turn them into positives.
  • become: However, the external environment is becoming more positive.

Preposition: in

outlook: The immigrant children seem more ambitious and positive in outlook.