wistfully

[wist-fuh-lee]

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.

Other Word Forms

• unwistfully adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of wistfully¹

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

Example Sentences

“We’d seen a lot of bands there, so playing there was like the dream,” the singer says wistfully of those early days.

From Los Angeles Times

He sang wistfully of the English town that shaped his life.

From BBC

Written and directed by playwright turned filmmaker Celine Song, “Materialists” is the follow-up to the wistfully melancholic “Past Lives,” her 2023 feature debut that was nominated for best picture and original screenplay Oscars.

From Los Angeles Times

One commander looked wistfully at my body-armour and radio when we joined them on a patrol.

From BBC

“All the things that might not be learned,” she mused wistfully.

From Los Angeles Times