Pollyanna

[ pol-ee-an-uh ]
/ ˌpɒl iˈæn ə /

noun

an excessively or blindly optimistic person.

adjective

(often lowercase) Also Pol·ly·an·na·ish. unreasonably or illogically optimistic: some pollyanna notions about world peace.

Origin of Pollyanna

from the name of the child heroine created by Eleanor Porter (1868–1920), American writer

OTHER WORDS FROM Pollyanna

Pol·ly·an·na·ism, noun

British Dictionary definitions for pollyannaism

Pollyanna
/ (ˌpɒlɪˈænə) /

noun

a person who is constantly or excessively optimistic

Derived forms of Pollyanna

Pollyannaish, adjective

Word Origin for Pollyanna

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

Cultural definitions for pollyannaism

Pollyanna

(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 for Pollyanna

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