Wishing: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this when someone is hoping for something, often in a very informal context, like making a wish during a special occasion or expressing a casual want.

• I am wishing for a new bike on my birthday.
• Wishing you all the best on your journey!

This word fits more serious contexts and often indicates a strong feeling of wanting something, especially something that is hard to get.

• He felt a strong desire to travel the world.
• Her desire for success was evident in all her efforts.

Best used when you want to express a feeling of positive expectation or looking forward to something improving or happening, usually more optimistic and realistic compared to a dream.

• I hope everything goes well with your exam.
• We hope for a sunny day tomorrow.

Good for describing aspirations or long-term goals, often idealistic or hard-to-achieve, and can relate to both literal dreams during sleep and figurative dreams for the future.

• Her dream is to become a famous artist.
• He had a strange dream about flying.

Used when expressing a simple want or hope for something, often casually or informally.

• I'm wishing for good weather on our trip.
• She was wishing for a new bike for her birthday.

Stronger and deeper feeling of wanting something, often in a more emotional or passionate way.

• He has a strong desire to travel the world.
• Her desire for success drives her to work hard every day.

Expresses expectation or belief in a positive outcome, often used for future possibilities.

• I hope you get well soon.
• We hope for peace and prosperity in the future.

Used when someone has a deep, almost painful feeling of wanting something, often something they miss or cannot easily have.

• She longed for the days when they were together.
• After years abroad, he longed for his hometown.