Dictionary
1hopeful
adjective hope·ful \ˈhōp-fəl\
: full of hope : feeling or showing hope
: giving someone feelings of hope
Full Definition of HOPEFUL
1
: having qualities which inspire hope <hopeful signs of economic recovery>
2
: full of hope : inclined to hope
— hope·ful·ness noun
See hopeful defined for English-language learners
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First Known Use of HOPEFUL
1568
Related to HOPEFUL
- Synonyms
- auspicious, bright, encouraging, fair, golden, heartening, likely, optimistic, promising, propitious, roseate, rose-colored, rosy, upbeat
- Antonyms
- bleak, dark, depressing, desperate, discouraging, disheartening, dismal, downbeat, dreary, gloomy, hopeless, inauspicious, pessimistic, unencouraging, unlikely, unpromising, unpropitious
2hopeful
noun
: a person who hopes to do something
Full Definition of HOPEFUL
: aspirant <Olympic hopefuls>
See hopeful defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HOPEFUL
1720
Related to HOPEFUL
- Antonyms
- noncandidate
HOPEFUL Defined for Kids
hopeful
adjective hope·ful \ˈhōp-fəl\
Definition of HOPEFUL for Kids
1
: full of hope
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