Dictionary.com

wishful

[ wish-fuhl ]
/ ˈwɪʃ fəl /
Save This Word!

adjective
having or showing a wish; desirous; longing.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of wishful

First recorded in 1515–25; wish + -ful

OTHER WORDS FROM wishful

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wishful in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wishful

wishful
/ (ˈwɪʃfʊl) /

adjective
having wishes or characterized by wishing

Derived forms of wishful

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
FEEDBACK