Optimistic

adj.hopeful, resilienteveryday

What it means

Expecting a favorable result while seeing a credible path toward it.

Reach for it when describing hope about a specific future outcome

The engineers were optimistic after the revised pump completed every pressure test.

playful
upbeat
when lively mood matters alongside expectation
not when A measured forecast or formal report needs less conversational language.
everyday
positive
when the outlook or tone is constructive
not when Positive has many meanings and may describe a confirmed result instead.
warm
encouraged
when recent evidence has improved someone's hope
not when Encouraged describes a response, not necessarily a settled prediction.
warm
hopeful
when possibility and desire are stronger than prediction
not when Hopeful can be appropriate even when evidence remains thin.
professional
bullish
when strong confidence concerns growth, markets, or performance
not when The commercial metaphor is jarring in a sympathy card or personal note.
professional
confident
when preparation or evidence supports strong expectation
not when Confidence is firmer than optimism and can sound unwarranted.
formal
expectant
when attention is turned toward something anticipated
not when Expectant does not tell the reader whether the expectation is favorable.
literary
sanguine
when calm assurance suits an elevated register
not when Some readers may not know the word, and it can sound overly serene.

optimistic outlook
Her optimistic outlook made room for both the risks and the possible gains.
remain optimistic
The growers remain optimistic because the young trees survived the driest month.
optimistic about
Iris felt optimistic about the interview after practicing the difficult questions.

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.