hopeful

hope-ful · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Feeling or inspiring hope; optimistic.

  2. 2.

    A person who hopes to achieve something or be successful.

  3. 3.

    Likely to be successful or bring what is desired.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    hopeful sign — an indication that things may improve
  • •
    young hopeful — a young person aspiring to success

Related words

Antonyms: despairing, hopeless, pessimistic
See also: hope, hopefully, hopeless, optimistic
Synonyms: confident, expectant, optimistic, promising

Etymology

From Middle English, formed from hope + -ful (suffix meaning "full of"). The noun sense developed in the 19th century.