hopeful

[ hohp-fuhl ]

adjective

1. full of hope; expressing hope:

   His hopeful words stimulated optimism.

   Synonyms: confident, optimistic, sanguine, expectant

2. exciting hope; promising advantage or success:

   a hopeful prospect.

noun

1. a person who shows promise or aspires to success:

   the Democratic presidential hopeful.

hopeful

/ ˈhəʊpfʊl /

adjective

1. having or expressing hope
2. giving or inspiring hope; promising

noun

1. a person considered to be on the brink of success (esp in the phrase a young hopeful )

Derived Forms

• ˈhopefulness, noun

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hopeful¹

First recorded in 1560–70; hope + -ful

Example Sentences

But city officials are hopeful that extensive “winterization efforts,” which include improving drainage, filling in cracks and lining canyon walls, can help minimize the effect of any new rain.

From Los Angeles Times

Department of Health and Human Services — some are hopeful that the GOP can exercise its governing power to revive a psychedelic movement that has shown signs of losing steam.

From Salon

The Dodgers are hopeful that, even after two significant elbow surgeries, he still will possess much of his old, wicked stuff.

From Los Angeles Times

"We are hopeful this will be a paper that shows that small, simple theories have a place in psychology," Brody says.

From Science Daily

But Joseph remains hopeful that Haitian communities across the country will be able to overcome the next four years of likely hardship under Trump.

From Salon

Related Words

• cheerful
• encouraging
• exciting
• favorable
• fortunate
• good
• gracious
• likely
• pleasant
• probable
• reasonable
• reassuring
• rosy