wistfully

American  

[wist-fuh-lee] / ˈwɪst fə li /

adverb

1. in a way that is characterized by melancholy or longing; pensively.

   As soon as the first colored leaves appear, people start to speak wistfully of the last days of summer.

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Other Word Forms

• unwistfully adverb

Etymology

Origin of wistfully

First recorded in 1660–70; wistful ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

"I don't know what he's going to do," she says wistfully.

From BBC

Days later, the conservative and lifelong Atlanticist wistfully called on Germans to put aside nostalgia for an America they had known and loved for decades.

From The Wall Street Journal

In “The Rest of Our Lives,” Tom is a modern melancholic, and some of the stops on his journey are to see people he wistfully associates with his youth.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The silent one-clouded heavens drifted on to the sea,” he notes wistfully.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Maybe even jam cake,” Beowulf added wistfully, and began to drool.

From Literature