positive
♦♦ posi|tive /p'ɒzɪtɪv/
1 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about n
If you are positive about things, you are hopeful and confident, and think of the good aspects of a situation rather than the bad ones.
Be positive about your future and get on with living a normal life...
...a positive frame of mind.
≠ negative
● positively [ADV] ADV after v
You really must try to start thinking positively.
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A positive fact, situation, or experience is pleasant and helpful to you in some way.
The parting from his sister had a positive effect on John...
≠ negative
[N-SING] the N
The positive in a situation is the good and pleasant aspects of it.
Work on the positive, creating beautiful, loving and fulfilling relationships.
≠ negative
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you make a positive decision or take positive action, you do something definite in order to deal with a task or problem.
Having a good diet gives me a sense that I'm doing something positive and that I'm in control.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A positive response to something indicates agreement, approval, or encouragement.
There's been a positive response to the UN Secretary-General's recent peace efforts.
≠ negative
● positively [ADV] ADV after v
He responded positively and accepted the fee of £1000 I had offered.
5 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
If you are positive about something, you are completely sure about it.
I'm as positive as I can be about it...
`She's never late. You sure she said eight?'--`Positive.'
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
Positive evidence gives definite proof of the truth or identity of something.
There was no positive evidence that any birth defects had arisen as a result of Vitamin A intake.
= conclusive
● positively [ADV] ADV with v
He has positively identified the body as that of his wife.
7 [ADJ]
If a medical or scientific test is positive, it shows that something has happened or is present.
If the test is positive, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed...
He was stripped of his Olympic Hundred Metres gold medal after testing positive for steroids.
HIV positive: see HIV
≠ negative
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
A positive number is greater than zero.
It's really a simple numbers game with negative and positive numbers.
≠ negative
9 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If something has a positive electrical charge, it has the same charge as a proton and the opposite charge to an electron. (TECHNICAL)
≠ negativefalse posi|tive (false positives)
[N-COUNT] oft N n
A false positive is a mistaken result of a scientific test. For example, if the result of a pregnancy test is a false positive, it indicates that a woman is pregnant when she is not.
...a high rate of false positive results.posi|tive dis|crimi|na|tion
[N-UNCOUNT]
Positive discrimination means making sure that people such as women, members of smaller racial groups, and disabled people get a fair share of the opportunities available. (BRIT; in AM, use affirmative action)
1 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ, oft ADJ about n
If you are positive about things, you are hopeful and confident, and think of the good aspects of a situation rather than the bad ones.
Be positive about your future and get on with living a normal life...
...a positive frame of mind.
≠ negative
● positively [ADV] ADV after v
You really must try to start thinking positively.
2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A positive fact, situation, or experience is pleasant and helpful to you in some way.
The parting from his sister had a positive effect on John...
≠ negative
[N-SING] the N
The positive in a situation is the good and pleasant aspects of it.
Work on the positive, creating beautiful, loving and fulfilling relationships.
≠ negative
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you make a positive decision or take positive action, you do something definite in order to deal with a task or problem.
Having a good diet gives me a sense that I'm doing something positive and that I'm in control.
4 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A positive response to something indicates agreement, approval, or encouragement.
There's been a positive response to the UN Secretary-General's recent peace efforts.
≠ negative
● positively [ADV] ADV after v
He responded positively and accepted the fee of £1000 I had offered.
5 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
If you are positive about something, you are completely sure about it.
I'm as positive as I can be about it...
`She's never late. You sure she said eight?'--`Positive.'
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
Positive evidence gives definite proof of the truth or identity of something.
There was no positive evidence that any birth defects had arisen as a result of Vitamin A intake.
= conclusive
● positively [ADV] ADV with v
He has positively identified the body as that of his wife.
7 [ADJ]
If a medical or scientific test is positive, it shows that something has happened or is present.
If the test is positive, a course of antibiotics may be prescribed...
He was stripped of his Olympic Hundred Metres gold medal after testing positive for steroids.
HIV positive: see HIV
≠ negative
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
A positive number is greater than zero.
It's really a simple numbers game with negative and positive numbers.
≠ negative
9 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If something has a positive electrical charge, it has the same charge as a proton and the opposite charge to an electron. (TECHNICAL)
≠ negativefalse posi|tive (false positives)
[N-COUNT] oft N n
A false positive is a mistaken result of a scientific test. For example, if the result of a pregnancy test is a false positive, it indicates that a woman is pregnant when she is not.
...a high rate of false positive results.posi|tive dis|crimi|na|tion
[N-UNCOUNT]
Positive discrimination means making sure that people such as women, members of smaller racial groups, and disabled people get a fair share of the opportunities available. (BRIT; in AM, use affirmative action)