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

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

At one point, he remarks wistfully that forests don’t smell the way they used to.

From Slate • Nov. 12, 2025

So the album opens with the familiar, always timeless voice of Steve Earle, telling the story of Hopper’s childhood, wistfully looking at the trains heading west and dreaming of the future.

From Salon • Oct. 7, 2025

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 • Jun. 4, 2025

“Where will you go, ey?” asked Lyddie wistfully.

From "Lyddie" by Katherine Paterson