hopeful meaning

UK /ˈhəʊpfəl/ US /ˈhoʊpfəl/ 2 syllables

hopeful (adjective): having or manifesting hope.

hopeful has 3 meanings in this dictionary, as adjective and noun.

hopeful as an adjective

  1. having or manifesting hope
    • a line of people hopeful of obtaining tickets
    • found a hopeful way of attacking the problem

    Opposite: hopeless

    Similar: anticipant

    Related forms: hopefulness

  2. likely to turn out well in the future
    • had a bright future in publishing
    • the scandal threatened an abrupt end to a promising political career
    • a hopeful new singer on Broadway

    Synonyms: bright, promising

    Similar: auspicious

    Related forms: hopefulness

hopeful as a noun

  1. an ambitious and aspiring young person
    • a lofty aspirant
    • two executive hopefuls joined the firm
    • the audience was full of Madonna wannabes

    Synonyms: aspirant, aspirer, wannabe, wannabee

    Type of: applicant

How to pronounce hopeful

hopeful is pronounced /ˈhəʊpfəl/ in British English and /ˈhoʊpfəl/ in American English. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Scrabble score: 15 (letter breakdown)

Word lists: words starting with HO · words ending in UL · 7-letter words

More about hopeful on Wikipedia.