Pollyanna

See also: pollyanna

English

Etymology

The sense of a persistent optimist comes from the name of the protagonist in a book by Eleanor Porter.

Pronunciation

Rhymes: -ænə

Proper noun

Pollyanna

A female given name derived from Polly and Anna; rare in the real world.

Noun

Pollyanna (plural Pollyannas)

One who is persistently cheerful and optimistic, even when given cause not to be so.
You call her an optimist, but I call her an obnoxious Pollyanna.
(colloquial, US, Southeastern Pennsylvania) A secret Santa gift exchange.

Derived terms

Pollyannaish, pollyannaish, Pollyannish, pollyannish

Translations

a persistently cheerful and optimistic person

French: Pollyanna

Greek: Πολυάννα (Polyánna)

See also

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