hopeful
adjectivenounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈhəʊpfl̩//
- United States//ˈhoʊpfl̩//
feeling hope
adjective
- 1
feeling hope
I have been very hopeful.
I am hopeful that I will recover from the disease.
Speaking with reporters during a stop in New York, Mr. Biden offered the most hopeful assessment of the hostage talks by any major figure in many days, suggesting that the war might be close to a major turning point.
- 2
inspiring hope
It looks hopeful that my father will be able to walk again.
The night was further proof that the Democratic Party’s cruel summer had given way to a more hopeful election season.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *tōhopōnder. Old English tōhopa Old English hopa Middle English hope English hope Proto-Indo-European *pleh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₁nós Proto-Germanic *fullaz Proto-Germanic *-fullaz Old English -ful Middle English -ful English -ful English hopeful From hope + -ful.
noun
- 1
Someone who is hoping for success or victory, especially as a candidate in a political election.
Several presidential hopefuls are campaigning in New Hampshire this week.
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and several other Republican presidential hopefuls spent Tuesday in New Hampshire, while Mike Pence, the former vice president, was in Iowa.
Forms
- plural
- hopefuls
- comparative
- more hopeful
- superlative
- most hopeful