hopeful

[ hohp-fuhl ]

adjective

1. full of hope; expressing hope:

   His hopeful words stimulated optimism.

   Synonyms: confident, optimistic, sanguine, expectant

2. exciting hope; promising advantage or success:

   a hopeful prospect.

noun

1. a person who shows promise or aspires to success:

   the Democratic presidential hopeful.

hopeful

/ ˈhəʊpfʊl /

adjective

1. having or expressing hope
2. giving or inspiring hope; promising

noun

1. a person considered to be on the brink of success (esp in the phrase a young hopeful )

Derived Forms

• ˈhopefulness, noun

Other Words From

• hopeful·ness noun
• un·hopeful adjective
• un·hopeful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hopeful¹

First recorded in 1560–70; hope + -ful

Example Sentences

Is there any chance the potential 2016 hopeful will stand up to the right and embrace paid sick leave?

From The Daily Beast

He remained as hopeful as ever that he would himself join the NYPD, whatever the danger.

From The Daily Beast

Foxx is hopeful that young people are evolving past the point of being preoccupied with race.

From The Daily Beast

But assuming things were ever that hopeful, heaven was short-lived, and trouble followed.

From The Daily Beast

In our screenings, he always sits in the same corner chair and always looks hopeful, no matter what the movie.

From The Daily Beast

The conclusion is reached that, despite these drawbacks, the Jesuit mission in Canada has made a hopeful beginning.

From Project Gutenberg

“A hopeful family yours, Mr. Trotter,” said Perker, sealing a letter which he had just finished writing.

From Project Gutenberg

The feeling is hopeful if only we had more men and especially drafts to fill up our weakened battalions.

From Project Gutenberg

She reminded him as she stood there then, of a serious young literary woman, and he was made hopeful by her visit.

From Project Gutenberg

He had a hopeful, sunny nature, and never looked upon the dark side of things if he could help it.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cheerful
• encouraging
• exciting
• favorable
• fortunate
• good
• gracious
• likely
• pleasant
• probable
• reasonable
• reassuring
• rosy