Hopeful
ˈhəʊpfəl
Definitions
Feeling or expressing optimism and expectation about a future event; having or showing hope.
ˈhəʊpfəl
Feeling or showing optimism about a future event or outcome.
The doctors are hopeful that the patient will recover.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're waiting for a special gift. If you really think you're going to get it and you're excited, you're hopeful! Like when you're hopeful you'll get an A on your test.
👶 For kids: When you're hopeful, you feel good and think something nice will happen.
More Examples
We are hopeful that the negotiations will be successful.
Despite the challenges, the team remained hopeful about winning the championship.
She was hopeful of a positive outcome.
How It's Used
"She remained hopeful despite the bad news."
"He was hopeful about his chances of reconciliation."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a ray of hope
A small sign of encouragement or promise in a difficult situation.
"The discovery of a new treatment offered a ray of hope to cancer patients."
full of hope
Feeling or showing strong optimism about a future event or outcome.
"The young graduate was full of hope for his future career."
From Middle English *hopful*, from *hope* + *-ful* (full of).
Historically, the word has always conveyed a sense of anticipation for a positive outcome, evolving from its roots in the concept of 'hope'.
Memory tip
Think of a full cup: 'hopeful' is like a cup full of positive expectations.
Word Origin
"full of hope (from *hopful*, *hope* + *-ful*)"