Tra từ positive - Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

posi·tive AW [positive positives] adjective, noun BrE [ˈpɒzətɪv] NAmE [ˈpɑːzətɪv]
adjective

CONFIDENT
1. thinking about what is good in a situation; feeling confident and sure that sth good will happen
•a positive attitude/outlook
•the power of positive thought
•~ (about sth) She tried to be more positive about her new job.
•On the positive side, profits have increased.
•The report ended on a positive note.
Opp: ↑negative

EFFECTIVE/USEFUL
2. directed at dealing with sth or producing a successful result
• We must take positive steps to deal with the problem.
• It will require positive action by all in the industry.
Opp: ↑negative
3. expressing agreement or support
• We've had a very positive response to the idea.
Opp: ↑negative
4. good or useful
•to make a positive contribution to a discussion
• His family have been a very positive influence on him.
• Overseas investment has had a positive effect on exports.
Opp: ↑negative

SURE/DEFINITE
5. not before noun (of a person)completely sure that sth is correct or true
•~ (about sth) I can't be positive about what time it happened.
•~ (that…) She was positive that he had been there.
•‘Are you sure?’ ‘Positive.’
6. only before noun (informal)complete and definite
Syn: ↑absolute
•He has a positive genius for upsetting people.
•It was a positive miracle that we survived.
7. giving clear and definite proof or information
Syn: ↑conclusive
• We have no positive evidence that she was involved.
• (formal) This is proof positive that he stole the money.

SCIENTIFIC TEST
8. showing clear evidence that a particular substance or medical condition is present
•a positive pregnancy test
• The athlete tested positive for steroids.
•to be HIV positive
Opp: ↑negative

NUMBER/QUANTITY
9. greater than zero
Opp: ↑negative

ELECTRICITY
10. (technical)containing or producing the type of electricity that is carried by a ↑proton
•a positive charge
•the positive terminal of a battery
Opp: ↑negative

Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French positif, -ive or Latin positivus, from posit- ‘placed’, from the verb ponere. The original sense referred to laws as being formally ‘laid down’, which led to the sense ‘explicitly laid down and admitting no question’, hence ‘certain’.

Thesaurus:
positive adj.
1.
•She tried to be more positive about her new job.
optimistic • • hopeful • |especially business bullish • • upbeat •
Opp: negative
positive/optimistic/hopeful/bullish/upbeat about sth
a/an positive/optimistic/hopeful/bullish view
a/an positive/optimistic/bullish/upbeat mood/note
2.
•We got very positive feedback on the idea.
good • • approving • • appreciative • • complimentary • • glowing • |BrE favourable • |AmE favorable •
Opp: negative
positive/complimentary about sb/sth
a/an positive/good/approving/appreciative/complimentary/favourable comment
a positive/good/favourable opinion/impression/reaction/response
show sb/sth in a positive/good/favourable light
3.
•He made a positive contribution to the debate.
helpful • • valuable • • good • • constructive • • worthwhile • |BrE favourable • |AmE favorable • |formal beneficial •
Opp: negative
positive/helpful/valuable/good/constructive suggestions/advice
a positive/valuable/good/constructive/worthwhile/beneficial experience
a positive/good/constructive/beneficial effect
4. (especially spoken)
•‘Are you sure?’ ‘Positive.’
sure • • certain • • convinced • • confident • • clear • • satisfied •
positive/sure/certain/convinced/confident/clear about sth
positive/sure/certain/convinced/confident/clear/satisfied that…
feel positive/sure/certain/convinced/confident/satisfied
5.
•We have no positive evidence that he was involved.
concrete • • absolute • • firm • • hard • • definite • • definitive • • final • • proven • |formal categorical •
positive/concrete/absolute/firm/hard/definite/definitive evidence
positive/concrete/absolute/firm/definite/definitive/final proof

Synonyms:
sure
confident • convinced • certain • positive • clear
These words all describe sb who knows without doubt that sth is true or will happen.
sure • [not before noun] without any doubt that you are right, that sth is true, that you will get sth or that sth will happen: ▪ ‘Is that John over there?’ ‘I'm not sure.’ ◇ ▪ Are you sure about that? ◇ ▪ England must win this game to be sure of qualifying.
Sure is often used in negative statements and questions, because there is some doubt or anxiety over the matter. If there is no doubt, people often say quite sure: ▪ I'm quite sure (that) I left my bag here ▪ (= I have no doubt about it) ▪.
confident • completely sure that sth will happen in the way that you want or expect: ▪ I'm quite confident that you'll get the job. ◇ ▪ The team feels confident of winning.
Confident is a stronger and more definite word than sure and is more often used in positive statements, when you feel no anxiety.
convinced • [not before noun] completely sure that sth is true or right, especially because the evidence seems to prove it or sb else has persuaded you to believe it: ▪ I'm convinced that she's innocent.
certain • [not usually before noun] sure that you are right or that sth is true: ▪ Are you absolutely certain about this?
sure or certain?
Like sure, certain is often used in negative statements and questions. It is slightly more formal than sure; sure is more frequent, especially in spoken English.
positive • [not before noun] (rather informal) completely sure that sth is true: ▪ She was positive that he'd been there. ◇ ▪ ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Positive.’
clear • (often used in negative statements and questions) having no doubt or confusion about sth: ▪ My memory isn't really clear on that point.
sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear about sth
sure/confident/convinced/certain of sth
sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear that…
sure/certain/clear who/what/how, etc.
to feel sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive
quite/absolutely/completely/fairly/pretty sure/confident/convinced/certain/positive/clear
not altogether sure/confident/convinced/certain/clear

Example Bank:
•He sounded very positive about his chances.
•He tested positive for HIV.
•He took a highly positive view of the matter.
•I'm absolutely positive it was him.
•She seemed fairly positive about it.
•The test proved positive.
•Friendlier relations between the countries had a positive effect on exports.
•I can't be positive about what time it happened.
•Local residents made a very positive contribution to the debate.
•Most of his remarks were positive, but there were a few criticisms.
•On the positive side, profits have increased.
•She was positive that he'd been there.
•The feedback from the public was very positive.
•Try to have a positive attitude.
•We got a very positive response to the idea.
•You should try to be a bit more positive about your students.

noun

GOOD QUALITY
1. countable, uncountable a good or useful quality or aspect
• Take your weaknesses and translate them into positives.
•To manage your way out of recession, accentuate the positive.

IN PHOTOGRAPHY
2. countable (technical)a developed film showing light and dark areas and colours as they actually were, especially one printed from a ↑negative

RESULT OF TEST
3. countable the result of a test or an experiment that shows that a substance or condition is present
Opp: ↑negative

Word Origin:
late Middle English: from Old French positif, -ive or Latin positivus, from posit- ‘placed’, from the verb ponere. The original sense referred to laws as being formally ‘laid down’, which led to the sense ‘explicitly laid down and admitting no question’, hence ‘certain’.