pollyanna: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

It is typically used with a negative or critical connotation, implying that someone's optimism is naive, unrealistic, or irritating. It suggests a refusal to see or deal with negative realities.

While derived from a proper name (the novel's character), in modern usage it is commonly lowercased ('pollyanna') when used as a common noun meaning an overly optimistic person. Capitalisation ('Pollyanna') is also correct, especially when referring directly to the character.

An 'optimist' is someone who generally expects good outcomes, which is a neutral or positive trait. A 'pollyanna' is an *excessively* or *unrealistically* cheerful optimist, often to the point of ignoring facts or problems, which is usually seen as a flaw.

Yes, though it's informal. To 'pollyanna' (or 'pollyanna something') means to treat a situation with excessive or unwarranted optimism (e.g., 'He pollyannaed the budget shortfall'). The forms 'pollyannaish' (adj.) and 'pollyannaishly' (adv.) are also used.

An excessively cheerful, optimistic person who tends to find the good in everything, often to an unrealistic degree.

Pollyanna is usually informal, literary, sometimes pejorative in register.

Pollyanna: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpɒl.iˈæn.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpɑː.liˈæn.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.