Finesentence logo

Wishful: meaning, definitions and examples

🌟
Add to dictionary

wishful

 

[ ˈwɪʃfəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

desire, hope

Wishful refers to having or showing a strong desire or hope for something that may be unlikely to happen. It often implies an element of daydreaming or unrealistic expectation. When someone is described as wishful, it suggests they are focusing on their desires rather than the reality of the situation. In many contexts, wishful thinking can lead to disappointment if not balanced with a sensible approach.

Synonyms

dreamy, fantastical, hopeful, idealistic

Examples of usage

  • Her wishful thinking led her to believe that she would win the lottery.
  • With wishful eyes, he gazed at the distant mountains.
  • They made wishful plans for a vacation that they couldn't afford.

Translations

Translations of the word "wishful" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desejoso

🇮🇳 इच्छाशक्ति

🇩🇪 wünschenswert

🇮🇩 penuh harapan

🇺🇦 бажаний

🇵🇱 życzeniowy

🇯🇵 願望的な

🇫🇷 désiré

🇪🇸 deseoso

🇹🇷 arzulanan

🇰🇷 소망하는

🇸🇦 رغبوي

🇨🇿 přející si

🇸🇰 priateľský

🇨🇳 渴望的

🇸🇮 želen

🇮🇸 óskandi

🇰🇿 армандаушы

🇬🇪 სურვილის მქონე

🇦🇿 arzulayan

🇲🇽 deseoso

Etymology

The word 'wishful' traces its origins to the Middle English term 'wischen,' which means 'to wish,' and the suffix '-ful,' denoting 'full of' or 'characterized by.' The combination of these elements reflects the idea of being full of wishes or desires. The usage of 'wishful' in its current form dates back to the late 19th century, evolving with the language to express notions of hope and aspiration. Over the years, 'wishful' has been used in various literary contexts, often to characterize characters or scenarios that are heavily invested in dream-like aspirations rather than real possibilities. Its connotation has developed to include an awareness of the impractical nature of such desires, giving it a slightly cautionary nuance in modern discourse.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,438, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.