wishful

[ wish-fuhl ]

adjective

1. having or showing a wish; desirous; longing.

wishful

/ ˈwɪʃfʊl /

adjective

1. having wishes or characterized by wishing

Derived Forms

• ˈwishfulness, noun
• ˈwishfully, adverb

Other Words From

• wishful·ly adverb
• wishful·ness noun
• un·wishful adjective
• un·wishful·ly adverb
• un·wishful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wishful¹

First recorded in 1515–25; wish + -ful

Example Sentences

With that went the wishful thinking that had comforted Israel’s worried Western allies.

From BBC

The national security risks with that kind of wishful thinking cannot be overstated.

From Los Angeles Times

This wishful thinking was not an effective containment strategy.

From Los Angeles Times

It may be aspirational wishful thinking on my part, but perhaps some of them would realize these “others” are their fellow Americans and brethren.

From Salon

Olympic host cities make promises that are all but impossible to keep, and in recent years, the organizers’ wishful thinking about housing and neighborhood redevelopment has been one of the cruelest Olympic disappointments.

From Los Angeles Times