Hopeless
'həʊpləs
Definitions
2 meaningsWithout hope; despairing; offering no prospect of improvement or success.
'həʊpləs
Feeling or causing despair about something that seems impossible or cannot be changed.
The team's chances of winning looked hopeless after the first half.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to fix a broken toy and nothing you do works. If you feel like it's never going to be fixed, that feeling is being hopeless.
👶 For kids: When something is hopeless, it means you don't think it will get better.
More Examples
She felt a hopeless sense of loneliness in the city.
The doctors said his condition was hopeless.
How It's Used
"The situation seemed hopeless."
"He felt hopeless and despondent after his loss."
Incapable of providing a solution; not capable of being solved.
'həʊpləs
Incapable of being solved or dealt with.
Finding a parking spot downtown on a Saturday is a hopeless task.
💡 Simply: Imagine trying to untangle a really, really big knot. If you think there’s no way to fix it, that's a hopeless situation.
👶 For kids: When something is hopeless, it means it can't be fixed or solved.
More Examples
His addiction became a hopeless battle.
The attempt to rescue them was seen as hopeless.
How It's Used
"The case seemed hopeless without any new evidence."
"Trying to reason with him was hopeless; he wouldn't listen."
Idioms & expressions
a hopeless case
A person or situation beyond help or improvement.
"The doctor declared him a hopeless case."
From Middle English *hopeles*, equivalent to hope + -less. The sense of 'lacking prospects' developed over time.
The word 'hopeless' has been used since the late 16th century, reflecting the inherent human experience of despair and lack of hope.
Memory tip
Think of a situation where all options are exhausted, and there's no chance of success.