wishful

[ wish-fuh l ]

/ ˈwɪʃ fəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR wishful ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having or showing a wish; desirous; longing.

Nearby words

Origin of wishful

First recorded in 1515–25; wish + -ful

Related forms

wish·ful·ly, adverbwish·ful·ness, nounun·wish·ful, adjectiveun·wish·ful·ly, adverb

un·wish·ful·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for wishful

Our quest for better leaders—“Change we can believe in”— is wishful thinking.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the idea he is going to attract droves of non-traditional Republican supporters is nothing more than wishful thinking.
Rand Paul's Bill Maher Problem|Jamie Weinstein|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sometimes the wishful thinking was done by well-known individuals—the Dalai Lama and Ralph Bunche.
Up To A Point: What We Really Need Is a Nobel War Prize|P. J. O’Rourke|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At least 65 Peace Prizes have been awarded for wishful thinking.
Up To A Point: What We Really Need Is a Nobel War Prize|P. J. O’Rourke|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Does a Middle East foreign policy determined by wishful thinking and poor information sound familiar?
America, Once Again Dazed and Confused in the Middle East|Scott Anderson|September 22, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He was, moreover, genuinely interested in the men, and wishful to know how they conducted themselves in their new spheres.
A Tatter of Scarlet|S. R. Crockett
As for me, I was ready to sink deep into the ground with despondency, wishful to rise never more.
The Dew of Their Youth|S. R. Crockett
I hoped that I was correct; maybe it was wishful thinking, but I claim that right.
Highways in Hiding|George Oliver Smith
I remember when a young man, wishful to conform to the rules of good society, I bought a book of etiquette for gentlemen.
The Angel and the Author - and Others|Jerome K. Jerome
“Do not be so sure I am wishful to ridicule,” answered the Minor Poet.
Tea-Table Talk|Jerome K. Jerome

British Dictionary definitions for wishful

wishful

/ (ˈwɪʃfʊl) /

adjective

having wishes or characterized by wishing

Derived Formswishfully, adverbwishfulness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for wishful

wishful

adj.

1520s, from wish (n.) + -ful. Related: Wishfully; wishfulness. Wishful thinking is recorded from 1932.

wishful

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of wishful

Examples from the Web for wishful

wishful

adjective

wishful