wistfully

[ wist-fuh-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that is characterized by melancholy or longing; pensively:

   As soon as the first colored leaves appear, people start to speak wistfully of the last days of summer.

Other Words From

• un·wist·ful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of wistfully¹

First recorded in 1660–70; wistful ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

The former president’s longest-serving chief of staff, retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, made waves with a series of interviews in which he disclosed that Trump spoke wistfully of the loyalty of Hitler’s Nazi generals, and said he believed that Trump’s views aligned with “the general definition of fascist.”

From Los Angeles Times

Recounting one particularly vulnerable moment in a diner bathroom — post-milkshakes, no Lactaid in sight — Slate wistfully describes “that feeling, like, when you can tell you’re about to pass away.”

From Los Angeles Times

“They didn’t realize how invested I was in the company,” he says, almost wistfully.

From Los Angeles Times

Once my tour was over, I wistfully returned to the parking lot, a strawberry-Ashwagandha smoothie in hand.

From Los Angeles Times

Coming over the Cajon Pass in the right season — and maybe even over the Tejon Pass too — the scent rose up and enveloped you; far into the 20th century, locals and visitors still spoke wistfully of it.

From Los Angeles Times