French word

pessimiste

Pronunciation

IPA/pesimist/

Meaning

  • adjectivepessimistic

Example

Ne sois pas pessimiste.

Don't be pessimistic.

Illustration for pessimiste (pessimistic)

More examples

Elle a un regard pessimiste sur la situation.

She has a pessimistic view of the situation.

Core concept

A person or outlook that keeps its attention on the worst possible result.

Common phrases

  • être pessimiste

    be pessimistic

  • avoir une attitude pessimiste

    have a pessimistic attitude

  • regard pessimiste

    pessimistic view

Similar words

négatif: Focusing on the bad aspects of things before the good ones.
défaitiste: Believing that effort is useless and giving up easily.
inquiet: Worried about the present or future and unable to feel calm.
déprimé: Feeling low in spirits and lacking energy.

Definition in French

Qui a tendance à voir l'avenir ou les situations de façon négative et à s'attendre au pire.

Word origin

French formed pessimiste from the Latin superlative pessimus, 'worst', following the pattern of words ending in -iste.

Usage tips

  • The final e in pessimiste is silent and does not mark feminine gender, so the singular pronunciation is the same in both genders.

Other meanings

  • pessimistnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word