A naively or unreasonably optimistic person.
Used in a Sentence
pangloss
Definition, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for pangloss.
Editorial note
Tragedy of the Commons is a real thing, and Pangloss was sarcasm, not a role model.
Examples14
Definitions1
Parts of speech1
Quick take
A naively or unreasonably optimistic person.
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of pangloss gathered in one view.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for pangloss.
noun
A naively or unreasonably optimistic person.
Example sentences
Tragedy of the Commons is a real thing, and Pangloss was sarcasm, not a role model.
The guidelines aren't asking you to behave like Pangloss and think everything is perfect.
But I'd rather be Pangloss (syphilis and all) than a misanthrope like Ehrlich or Malthus.
It comes from a character named pangloss in Voltaire's Candide who takes the view that we must live in the best of all possible worlds.
I'm not going full Pangloss here, development is still a massive clusterfuck in many places and probably always will be by its nature, but the frontiers have pushed waaaaay back since I got started.
I think you mean Pangloss, who was a parody of Leibniz in Candide who was written by Voltaire.
Pangloss believes that everything is as it should be.
(Pangloss tries to justify the apparent imperfections of the world by claiming that it is optimal among all possible worlds.
The only way it works is by accepting Pangloss's tautological use of "best", that is, everything that exists is the best possible, and whatever we have in the future must also be the best possible.
Je suis toujours de mon premier sentiment, répondit Pangloss; car enfin je suis philosophe; il ne me convient pas de me dédire, Leibnitz ne pouvant pas avoir tort, et l’harmonie préétablie étant d’ailleurs la plus belle chose du monde, aussi bien que le plein et la matière subtile.
Quote examples
The only way it works is by accepting Pangloss's tautological use of "best", that is, everything that exists is the best possible, and whatever we have in the future must also be the best possible.
Proper noun examples
I think you mean Pangloss, who was a parody of Leibniz in Candide who was written by Voltaire.
Pangloss believes that everything is as it should be.
(Pangloss tries to justify the apparent imperfections of the world by claiming that it is optimal among all possible worlds.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use pangloss in a sentence?
Tragedy of the Commons is a real thing, and Pangloss was sarcasm, not a role model.
What does pangloss mean?
A naively or unreasonably optimistic person.
What part of speech is pangloss?
pangloss is commonly used as noun.