wishful

[ wish-fuh l ]

/ ˈwɪʃ fəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR wishful ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having or showing a wish; desirous; longing.

Nearby words

wish list, wish on, wish-wash, wishbone, wishbone boom, wishful, wishful thinking, wishing well, wisht, wishy-washy, wiskott-aldrich syndrome

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 Forms

wishfully, 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

wishful

adjective

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of wishful

Related forms

Examples from the Web for wishful

British Dictionary definitions for wishful

wishful

adjective

Derived Forms