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 Word Forms

• 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

Or maybe it’s all wishful thinking on my part.

From Los Angeles Times

And expecting the first one this year is beyond wishful thinking.

From Los Angeles Times

When I say I believe we can get past this moment, it is not just wishful thinking.

From Salon

Rumours that Rihanna would play the Pyramid Stage turned out to be wishful thinking for the second year running.

From BBC

But honestly, that scenario requires a world-historical level of wishful thinking.

From Salon