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Synonyms

hope

1 American  
[hohp] / hoʊp /

noun

  1. 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
  2. a particular instance of this feeling.

    the hope of winning.

  3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance.

    There is little or no hope of his recovery.

  4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered.

    The medicine was her last hope.

  5. something that is hoped for.

    Her forgiveness is my constant hope.


verb (used with object)

hoped, hoping
  1. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.

  2. to believe, desire, or trust.

    I hope that my work will be satisfactory.

verb (used without object)

hoped, hoping
  1. to feel that something desired may happen.

    We hope for an early spring.

  2. Archaic.  to place trust; rely (usually followed byin ).

idioms

  1. 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.

Hope 2 American  
[hohp] / hoʊp /

noun

  1. Anthony, pen name of Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins.

  2. Bob Leslie Townes Hope, 1903–2003, U.S. comedian, born in England.

  3. John, 1868–1936, U.S. educator.

  4. a town in SW Arkansas.

  5. a female given name.


hope 1 British  
/ həʊp /

noun

  1. (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

  2. a reasonable ground for this feeling

    there is still hope

  3. a person or thing that gives cause for hope

  4. a thing, situation, or event that is desired

    my hope is that prices will fall

  5. used ironically to express little confidence that expectations will be fulfilled

"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

verb

  1. (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

  2. to have a wish (for a future event, situation, etc)

  3. (tr; takes a clause as object) to trust, expect, or believe

    we hope that this is satisfactory

"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
Hope 2 British  
/ həʊp /

noun

  1. Anthony, real name Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins. 1863–1933, English novelist; author of The Prisoner of Zenda (1894)

  2. 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

  3. 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

hope More Idioms  

    More idioms and phrases containing hope


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.

He added that he hoped more countries would follow the U.K.’s “constructive negotiations.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The outcome of this investigation may shape the development of large-scale, error-free quantum computers suitable for commercial use, a goal Dellios hopes to help lead.

From Science Daily

"We hope this new technique of visualizing synaptic membrane dynamics in live brain tissue samples can help us understand similarities and differences in nonheritable and heritable forms of the condition," Watanabe says.

From Science Daily

Zhao is hoping to having another extended run at York Barbican, a venue that will always be close to his heart.

From BBC

Administrators are in the process of trying to identify a preferred bidder to take over the club and previously indicated that they hope to have one by Friday.

From BBC