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

And, while the weather was distinctly untropical, scores of fans turned up hoping to catch a glimpse of Cravalho and Johnson.

From BBC

Potter’s superb finish towards the end gave the Wallabies some heart but it was never going to keep their hopes of an autumn grand slam alive.

From BBC

This is not the first time that scientists received false hope about proof of extraterrestrial microorganic life.

From Salon

Seattle’s Jordan Morris, however, dashed those hopes four minutes into the second overtime period, sending the Sounders on to next weekend’s conference final.

From Los Angeles Times

Her challenge to Northern Ireland Assembly members is to "stop hiding and brushing things under the carpet in the hope somebody else will pick it up".

From BBC

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.