hope
the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to give up hope.
a particular instance of this feeling: the hope of winning.
grounds for this feeling in a particular instance: There is little or no hope of his recovery.
a person or thing in which expectations are centered: The medicine was her last hope.
something that is hoped for: Her forgiveness is my constant hope.
to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory.
to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early spring.
Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually followed by in).
Idioms about hope
hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a change in her condition.
Origin of hope
1Other words for hope
Other words from hope
- hop·er, noun
- hop·ing·ly, adverb
- self-hope, noun
- un·hop·ing, adjective
- un·hop·ing·ly, adverb
Other definitions for Hope (2 of 2)
Anthony, pen name of Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins.
Bob Leslie Townes Hope, 1903–2003, U.S. comedian, born in England.
John, 1868–1936, U.S. educator.
a town in SW Arkansas.
a female given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use hope in a sentence
They had hoped the autopsy would show Brinsley had eaten something that would point them in the right direction.
He hoped also to be a chaplain through his local church, and he was nearing the end of his formal training.
Liu had just gotten married two months before and hoped to start a family right away.
She hoped the church, which reinforced her views, would be a good environment for him, he explained.
And then we planned (or hoped) to make that back in ticket sales.
To see a part of my scheme, from which I had hoped so much, go wrong before my eyes is maddening!
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian HamiltonIf so, it is to be hoped that, wise man as you are, the first attack of this disorder was also your last.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsHe had hoped to have her reason it out with him, and he had prayed that he be given a little time, and then all would be well.
The Homesteader | Oscar MicheauxHe paid for the lunch, and tipped the waiters so liberally that they all hoped he would come again often.
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. WilliamsonThe sailors had hoped they would be able to shield the Southern point of the Peninsula by interposing their ships but they can't.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I | Ian Hamilton
British Dictionary definitions for hope (1 of 2)
/ (həʊp) /
(sometimes plural) a feeling of desire for something and confidence in the possibility of its fulfilment: his hope for peace was justified; their hopes were dashed
a reasonable ground for this feeling: there is still hope
a person or thing that gives cause for hope
a thing, situation, or event that is desired: my hope is that prices will fall
not a hope or some hope used ironically to express little confidence that expectations will be fulfilled
(tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to desire (something) with some possibility of fulfilment: we hope you can come; I hope to tell you
(intr often foll by for) to have a wish (for a future event, situation, etc)
(tr; takes a clause as object) to trust, expect, or believe: we hope that this is satisfactory
Origin of hope
1Derived forms of hope
- hoper, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Hope (2 of 2)
/ (həʊp) /
Anthony, real name Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins. 1863–1933, English novelist; author of The Prisoner of Zenda (1894)
Bob, real name Leslie Townes Hope. 1903–2003, US comedian and comic actor, born in England. His films include The Cat and the Canary (1939), Road to Morocco (1942), and The Paleface (1947). He was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1998
David (Michael). Baron. born 1940, British churchman, Archbishop of York (1995–2005)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with hope
In addition to the idioms beginning with hope
- hope against hope
- hope springs eternal
also see:
- great white hope
- in hopes of
- live in (hope of)
- not a hope in hell
- pin one's hopes on
- while there's life, there's hope
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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