Pollyanna

[ pol-ee-an-uh ]

noun

1. an excessively or blindly optimistic person.

adjective

1. (often lowercase) Also Polly·anna·ish. unreasonably or illogically optimistic:

   some pollyanna notions about world peace.

Pollyanna

/ ˌpɒlɪˈænə /

noun

1. a person who is constantly or excessively optimistic

Pollyanna

1. (1913) A children's book by the American author Eleanor H. Porter. The title character is an orphan girl who, despite the difficulties of her life, is always extremely cheerful.

Notes

A “Pollyanna” remains excessively sweet-tempered and optimistic even in adversity.

Derived Forms

• ˌPollyˈannaish, adjective

Other Words From

• Polly·anna·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pollyanna¹

First recorded in 1910–15; from the name of the child heroine in the novel Pollyanna (1913), written by Eleanor Hodgman Porter (1868–1920), American writer

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pollyanna¹

C20: after the chief character in Pollyanna (1913), a novel by Eleanor Porter (1868–1920), US writer

Example Sentences

“If I suddenly came on like Pollyanna, it wouldn’t work — it would frighten people more if I were nice. They’d be paralyzed with fear. And wonder what I was up to. But perhaps I should try it … ‘Hello!

From Los Angeles Times

If it seems like Roberts is too Pollyanna, well, for some players, it works.

From Los Angeles Times

But, at the risk of sounding like a political Pollyanna, she can try to take these moments when they happen—which, again, they will—to keep her campaign on message: to keep it about freedom, joy, human dignity, and empathy.

From Slate

Maybe I'm being a Pollyanna, but I suspect Trump and Vance's gambit won't work.

From Salon

Alongside a growing body of quantitative evidence, these patient anecdotes are proving our Pollyanna wishes can come true; they show us social prescriptions can both improve our health and reduce pressure on health care.

From Slate