hope

¹

[ hohp ]

noun

1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best:

   to give up hope.

   Synonyms: longing, expectancy, aspiration

2. a particular instance of this feeling:

   the hope of winning.

3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance:

   There is little or no hope of his recovery.

4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered:

   The medicine was her last hope.

5. something that is hoped for:

   Her forgiveness is my constant hope.

verb (used with object)

, hoped, hop·ing.

1. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
2. to believe, desire, or trust:

   I hope that my work will be satisfactory.

verb (used without object)

, hoped, hop·ing.

1. to feel that something desired may happen:

   We hope for an early spring.

2. Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually followed by in ).

Hope

²

[ hohp ]

noun

1. Anthony, pen name of Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins.
2. Bob Leslie Townes Hope, 1903–2003, U.S. comedian, born in England.
3. John, 1868–1936, U.S. educator.
4. a town in SW Arkansas.
5. a female given name.

hope

¹

/ həʊp /

noun

1. sometimes plural a feeling of desire for something and confidence in the possibility of its fulfilment

   his hope for peace was justified

   their hopes were dashed

2. a reasonable ground for this feeling

   there is still hope

3. a person or thing that gives cause for hope
4. a thing, situation, or event that is desired

   my hope is that prices will fall

5. not a hope or some hope
   used ironically to express little confidence that expectations will be fulfilled

verb

1. tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive to desire (something) with some possibility of fulfilment

   I hope to tell you

   we hope you can come

2. introften foll byfor to have a wish (for a future event, situation, etc)
3. tr; takes a clause as object to trust, expect, or believe

   we hope that this is satisfactory

Hope

²

/ həʊp /

noun

1. HopeAnthony18631933MEnglishWRITING: novelist Anthony, real name Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins. 1863–1933, English novelist; author of The Prisoner of Zenda (1894)
2. HopeBob19032003MUSEnglishTHEATRE: comedianTHEATRE: comic actor Bob, real name Leslie Townes Hope. 1903–2003, US comedian and comic actor, born in England. His films include The Cat and the Canary (1939), Road to Morocco (1942), and The Paleface (1947). He was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1998
3. HopeDavid (Michael)1940MBritishRELIGION: churchman David ( Michael ). Baron. born 1940, British churchman, Archbishop of York (1995–2005)

Derived Forms

• ˈhoper, noun

Other Words From

• hop·er noun
• hop·ing·ly adverb
• self-hope noun
• un·hop·ing adjective
• un·hop·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hope¹

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English hopa; cognate with Dutch hoop, German Hoffe; (verb) Middle English hopen, Old English hopian

Word History and Origins

Origin of hope¹

Old English hopa; related to Old Frisian hope, Dutch hoop, Middle High German hoffe

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it:

   We are hoping against hope for a change in her condition.

More idioms and phrases containing hope

• great white hope
• in hopes of
• live in (hope of)
• not a hope in hell
• pin one's hopes on
• while there's life, there's hope

Example Sentences

“No matter what you believe or don’t believe, I think it’s important that people feel like there’s a glimmer of hope,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times

These devices and services have excited consumers hoping for better insight into their health and lifestyle choices.

From Los Angeles Times

We can't hope to transition the way we produce and eat sugar overnight.

From Salon

Trump reacted to Ibarra's guilty verdict, writing on Truth Social that he hopes the outcome of the trial "can bring some peace and closure to her wonderful family who fought for justice".

From BBC

Perhaps the best we can hope for in some of these agencies is that they'll flounder about for a while without any serious results.

From Salon

Related Words

• anticipate
• assume
• believe
• cherish
• count on
• expect
• hold
• wish

When To Use

What are other ways to say hope?

To hope for something is to look forward to it with desire and reasonable confidence. When should you use this verb over anticipate, expect, or await? Find out on Thesaurus.com.