What does the word panglossian mean?

Asked by: Eva Fadel  |  Last update: March 5, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (48 votes)

Panglossian means excessively optimistic and naive, believing that this world is the best of all possible worlds, even in the face of hardship, stemming from the character Dr. Pangloss in Voltaire's satirical novella Candide, who represents blind, unrealistic hope. It describes a viewpoint that everything will always turn out well, often ignoring obvious risks or problems, and can be used as an adjective or noun for such a hopeful person, says Dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster.

What does Panglossian mean?

Panglossian. Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 11, 2010 is: Panglossian • \pan-GLAH-see-un\ • adjective. : marked by the view that all is for the best in this best of possible worlds : excessively optimistic.

What is the difference between Panglossian and Pollyannish?

Both Panglossian and Pollyannaish describe extreme, unrealistic optimism, but Panglossian comes from Voltaire's cynical philosopher who argues this is the "best of all possible worlds," implying a forced, pseudo-intellectual justification, while Pollyannaish stems from a naive, innocent child finding joy everywhere, often seen as charmingly simple or foolishly blind to bad, representing a pure, almost automatic positivity. Panglossian optimism is a philosophical error, whereas Pollyanna's is a character trait, often with a "silver lining" finding. 

What is an example of someone being Panglossian?

Overly optimistic; believing that everything will always turn out for the best, often unrealistically. Examples: He remained Panglossian despite all the setbacks. Her Panglossian outlook made her ignore the obvious risks. Synonyms: over-optimistic, idealistic, naïvely hopeful Try using the word in your own sentence!

What is a synonym for Panglossian?

Recent Examples of Synonyms for Panglossian. optimistic. rosy. hopeful. upbeat.

Panglossian Meaning

35 related questions found

Is being panglossian a good thing?

He believed that this world is “the best of all possible worlds.” To be called Panglossian might not be a compliment because it is seen by some to be a foolish, unrealistic way of thinking and a symbol of foolhardy optimism. It is seen as self-deception and wishful thinking, ironic or disparaging.

What is the word for extreme horniness?

Extreme horniness, when it becomes uncontrollable and causes distress, is often called hypersexuality, compulsive sexual behavior, or sexual addiction, with historical terms including nymphomania (women) and satyriasis (men). It involves an intense preoccupation with sexual thoughts or urges that are difficult to manage and negatively impact life, though it isn't always a formal diagnosis but recognized by some health organizations. 

What was Pangloss's famous quote?

“All that is is for the best. If there is a volcano at Lisbon it cannot be elsewhere. It is impossible that things should be other than they are; for everything is right.”

What is a Pollyanna person?

A Pollyanna is an excessively optimistic person who always looks for the good in every situation, often to the point of being naive or ignoring harsh realities, named after the cheerful heroine of Eleanor H. Porter's 1913 novel who played the "Glad Game" to find something to be happy about. While originally a positive trait, the term is now often used derogatorily to suggest someone is blindly or unrealistically positive, though it also relates to the Pollyanna Principle of human tendency to recall positive memories more easily.
 

What is a capricious person?

Capricious is an adjective to describe a person or thing that's impulsive and unpredictable, like a bride who suddenly leaves her groom standing at the wedding altar.

What does it mean if somebody calls you Pollyanna?

In slang, a Pollyanna is someone who is excessively, almost blindly, optimistic, always finding good in every situation and ignoring the bad, often seen as naive or annoyingly cheerful. The term comes from the 1913 novel Pollyanna, about a girl who plays the "glad game" by finding something to be glad about in everything, and is sometimes used pejoratively to criticize someone for being unrealistic.
 

Where did Panglossian come from?

Panglossian comes from Pangloss, the name of a character from Voltaire's novel Candide, first published in 1759. In the novel, Pangloss is an unpragmatic optimist with an attitude reminiscent of the character Don Quixote.

What disease did Pangloss have?

He endures greater ordeals than any of the other characters. As Candide observes, Pangloss has "been hanged, dissected, beaten to a pulp, and sentenced to the galleys" (70). Infected with syphilis, which leaves him disfigured, he often subsists in an impoverished, starving condition.

What is a Noctivagant person?

Definition of 'noctivagant'

1. someone who wanders in the night. adjective. 2.

What do you call someone who is unrealistically optimistic?

overoptimistic. (adjective) in the sense of. Synonyms. unrealistic. idealistic.

What are the 3 P's of positive psychology?

In positive psychology, the 3 Ps refer to Personalization, Pervasiveness, and Permanence, a framework developed by Martin Seligman to understand pessimistic explanatory styles (how people explain bad events) that undermine resilience. Pessimists view negative events as their personal fault (Personalization), affecting their whole life (Pervasiveness), and lasting forever (Permanence). Shifting to an optimistic style means seeing setbacks as impersonal, specific, and temporary.
 

Is Pollyanna an insult?

Yes, calling someone a "Pollyanna" is generally used as an insult or criticism, implying they are naively or blindly optimistic, excessively cheerful, and willfully ignore negative realities, even when evidence suggests otherwise, according to dictionary definitions and common usage. While the original character from the book was meant to be positive, the modern term suggests a problematic, unrealistic view of the world, focusing only on the good to the point of foolishness. 

Is Pollyanna syndrome a mental disorder?

Named after this charming girl, the "Pollyanna principle" in psychology refers to the fact that we tend to look at the past with rose-tinted spectacles. The term "Pollyanna syndrome" has also been used, although it isn't a clinical syndrome as such.

What is Voltaire's most famous quote?

Voltaire's most famous (though often misattribuated) quote is "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it," actually coined by Evelyn Beatrice Hall to summarize his views, while other well-known actual quotes include "Common sense is not so common" and "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities". 

What is the last line of Candide?

The last words of Candide, 'Il faut cultiver notre jardin,' are often interpreted metaphorically, but Voltaire took them literally enough. He drained swamps, planted potatoes, bought a see... Is that where the Donald got the idea? I never knew he was so well-read!

Who coined the phrase "the best of all possible worlds"?

The claim that the actual world is the best of all possible worlds is the central argument in Leibniz's theodicy, or his attempt to solve the problem of evil. Gottfried Leibniz, the philosopher who coined the term "best of all possible worlds" in his 1710 work Théodicée.

At what age is horniness at its peak?

Horniness (libido) peaks vary by individual and gender, but research suggests male desire often peaks in the 20s, linked to high testosterone, while female libido may peak later, in the 30s, influenced by hormonal shifts, increased confidence, and life experience. For some, satisfaction increases with age, even as frequency might decrease, highlighting that "peak" is subjective, involving biology, relationships, stress, and health. 

What is the most seductive word for a woman?

  • siren.
  • temptress.
  • seducer.
  • vamp.
  • femme fatale.
  • enchantress.
  • charmer.
  • sexpot.

What drugs cause hypersexuality?

Drugs that can cause hypersexuality often affect dopamine and serotonin systems, including stimulants (cocaine, methamphetamine), certain dopamine agonists like aripiprazole (Abilify) and pramipexole, some SSRI antidepressants (like sertraline), and even anticonvulsants like lamotrigine, by increasing libido or activating compulsive behaviors, though the effects vary greatly. These drugs can boost dopamine, leading to increased sexual desire, or paradoxically, some SSRIs can cause this by affecting serotonin pathways differently in individuals, notes Addiction Resource and NIH.