Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

panglossian

/pænˈɡlɑsi.ən/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.08 in modern English

Syllables: Pan-gloss-i-an
IPA: /pænˈɡlɑsi.ən/

14

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Naively or unreasonably optimistic.

Derogatory

adj

Of or relating to the view that this is the best of all possible worlds.

Derogatory

Example Sentences

"Though he took a Panglossian view of the world in his youth, he became jaded as he grew older."
"Nadelmann assumes that the number of potential addicts wouldn’t soar under considerably more liberal drug laws. I can’t muster such Panglossian optimism."

Etymology

Pangloss (a character in Voltaire's Candide) + -ian

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /pænˈɡlɑsi.ən/
British English: /pænˈɡlɒsɪən/

Usage

Derogatory

Inflected Forms

more Panglossian (comparative) most Panglossian (superlative)

Derived Forms

Panglossianism

Synonyms

Panglossic Pollyannaish artless callow childlike verdant clueless credulous dewy-eyed cute fleeceable foppotee

Questions

How do you pronounce panglossian?: The recorded pronunciation is /pænˈɡlɑsi.ən/.
What does panglossian mean?: Naively or unreasonably optimistic.
Where does panglossian come from?: Pangloss (a character in Voltaire's Candide) + -ian

How to pronounce panglossian

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “panglossian”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/pænˈɡlɑsi.ən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “panglossian”.
Repeat and practice — Say “panglossian” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.