hope

hope · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen.

  2. 2.

    A person or thing that gives cause for hope.

  3. 3.

    Grounds for believing something good may happen.

  4. 4.

    To want something to happen or be true and think it is possible.

  5. 5.

    To expect with confidence.

Forms

plural: hopes

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    hope against hope — continue hoping despite unlikely odds
  • •
    hope for the best — remain optimistic
  • •
    a ray of hope — a small sign of something positive
  • •
    pin one's hopes on — rely heavily on something
  • •
    beyond hope — impossible to help or save
  • •
    hope springs eternal — people always hope for the best

Related words

Antonyms: despair, hopelessness
See also: despair, dream, expect, wish
Synonyms: aspiration, expectation, optimism, wish

Etymology

From Old English "hopian" (to trust, have confidence, suppose, hope), from Proto-Germanic "*hupōną." The noun developed from the verb. Cognate with German "hoffen" and Dutch "hopen."