hope
1 Americannoun
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the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.
to give up hope.
- Synonyms:
- longing, expectancy, aspiration
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a particular instance of this feeling.
the hope of winning.
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grounds for this feeling in a particular instance.
There is little or no hope of his recovery.
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a person or thing in which expectations are centered.
The medicine was her last hope.
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something that is hoped for.
Her forgiveness is my constant hope.
verb (used with object)
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to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
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to believe, desire, or trust.
I hope that my work will be satisfactory.
verb (used without object)
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to feel that something desired may happen.
We hope for an early spring.
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Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually followed byin ).
idioms
noun
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Anthony, pen name of Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins.
-
Bob Leslie Townes Hope, 1903–2003, U.S. comedian, born in England.
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John, 1868–1936, U.S. educator.
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a town in SW Arkansas.
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a female given name.
noun
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(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
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a reasonable ground for this feeling
there is still hope
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a person or thing that gives cause for hope
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a thing, situation, or event that is desired
my hope is that prices will fall
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used ironically to express little confidence that expectations will be fulfilled
verb
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(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
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to have a wish (for a future event, situation, etc)
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(tr; takes a clause as object) to trust, expect, or believe
we hope that this is satisfactory
noun
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Anthony, real name Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins. 1863–1933, English novelist; author of The Prisoner of Zenda (1894)
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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
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David ( Michael ). Baron. born 1940, British churchman, Archbishop of York (1995–2005)
Usage
What are other ways to say hope?
To hope for something is to look forward to it with desire and reasonable confidence. When should you use this verb over anticipate, expect, or await? Find out on Thesaurus.com.
Other Word Forms
- hoper noun
- hopingly adverb
- self-hope noun
- unhoping adjective
- unhopingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of hope
First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English hopa; cognate with Dutch hoop, German Hoffe; (verb) Middle English hopen, Old English hopian
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For scientists and space exploration advocates, the hope is that support will come together in time to make a return to this intriguing world possible, whether Starship plays a role or not.
From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026
"I hope 'Yes' shakes people's souls," he said.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
Beyond the drama, the hope in boxing circles is that both men can secure one final payday, emerge unscathed, and move on to enjoy the rewards of their careers.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
The performance of 18A is also crucial for 14A, which is where Intel will hope to attract external customers for its foundry.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026
‘I hope he knows the way,’ said Renn, keeping her voice down.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
