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optimisme

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Etymology and origin of the French word optimisme

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1737 Mémoires de Trévoux More words from the 18th century
From
Latin optimus
Ultimate origin
Latin optimus
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
French optimisme
English optimism
Derivations

Pronunciation

  • /ɔp.ti.mism/[1]
  • /ɔp.ti.mizm/[1]

Forms

optimisme m (plural optimismes)[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin optimus (“best”), a learned formation with the suffix -isme.[2][3][4] The Latin word is the superlative of bonus (“good”).[2][3][5] Etymonline connects it with the Modern Latin optimum (“the greatest good”) used by Leibniz in his Théodicée (1710).[6] Its opposite pessimisme was formed later on the same pattern.[4][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1737 in the Mémoires de Trévoux, in a review of Leibniz's Essais de Théodicée, for the philosophical doctrine that everything that exists is the best possible.[2][3]

Semantic evolution

At first a term of philosophy for Leibniz's system, it was made famous by Voltaire's attack on that system in Candide ou l'Optimisme (1758).[3][7] It was then extended to any doctrine in which evil has no real existence or is outweighed by good.[3][2]

Towards the end of the 18th century it entered everyday use for the habit of seeing the good side of things (1788, Collin d'Harleville's comedy L'Optimiste), and then for confidence in the happy outcome of a particular situation.[2][3] In all its uses it is opposed to pessimisme.[3]

English optimism is recorded from 1759, in translations of Voltaire, from the French word.[6]

Timeline

  • 1737 – First record, in the Mémoires de Trévoux, of Leibniz's doctrine.[2][4]
  • 1752 – The noun and adjective optimiste is formed.[3][4]
  • 1758 – Voltaire publishes Candide ou l'Optimisme.[3][7]
  • 1759 – English optimism appears in translations of Voltaire.[6]
  • 1788 – Collin d'Harleville uses it for a cheerful disposition.[2][3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (philosophy) The doctrine of Leibniz that this world is the best of all possible worlds, and more generally any doctrine in which good outweighs evil.[7][2][8]
  2. A disposition to see the good side of things: elle a toujours fait preuve d'optimisme.[7][8][9]
  3. Confidence that a particular situation will end well: il attend la décision avec optimisme.[7][8][9]

Word family

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b c d Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  5. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  6. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  7. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  8. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
  9. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Optimisme.” Etymologically, 14 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/optimisme. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·