wistful

[wist-fuhl]

adjective

1. characterized by melancholy or longing.

2. pensive, especially in a melancholy way.

   Synonyms: forlorn, meditative, musing, contemplative, reflective

wistful

/ ˈwɪstfʊl /

adjective

1. sadly pensive, esp about something yearned for

Other Word Forms

• wistfully adverb
• wistfulness noun
• unwistful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wistful¹

First recorded in 1605–15; obsolete wist “quiet, silent, attentive” (variant of whist ² ) + -ful

Example Sentences

The Queen has shared a wistful but mischievous memory of her longstanding friend Dame Jilly Cooper, as she spoke at a book festival six days after the author's death at the age of 88.

Read more on BBC

As Taylor Swift’s latest record brings scrutiny to the construction and thematics of pop music and its presentation, Wolf Alice’s seductive sway and wistful grit feels comparatively effortless, even if it’s just as accessible.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Wi$h Li$t,” a wistful song that hits like a contented sigh, imagines a simple life of domesticity in a suburban house with a basketball hoop, children and peace.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The wistful Crumbling Empire draws parallels between the post-industrial decline of Detroit and Fender's hometown of North Shields, while Rein Me In finds him struggling to shake the ghosts of a failed relationship.

Read more on BBC

Fittingly, “In My Life” features producer George Martin’s wistful piano solo, which he later described as his “Bach inversion.”

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• contemplative 
• dreamy 
• forlorn 
• melancholy 
• mournful 
• nostalgic 
• pensive 
• plaintive 
• sad 
• thoughtful