Wistful: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone looks back on the past with a sense of gentle, often melancholic, reflection.

• She gave a wistful smile, remembering the days when they were all together

Relates to remembering the past fondly, often with a sense of happiness and sentimental value.

• Listening to old songs makes her feel nostalgic about her school days

Indicates an intense, often painful longing or desire for something that is not present.

• She had a yearning for a life of adventure, far from the confines of her small town

Describes a deep desire or craving for something, often something unattainable or far away.

• He felt a longing for his hometown, a place he hadn't visited in years

Used when someone is deeply thoughtful, often in a serious or reflective manner.

• He sat by the window in a pensive mood, contemplating the future

Use this word when you want to describe a feeling of longing or yearning for something in a slightly sad but gentle way.

• She stared out of the window with a wistful look, thinking about her childhood home

This word fits when you're referring to someone who is deeply thinking or considering something, especially about past events or experiences.

• She sat by the lake in a reflective mood, thinking about the choices she had made

Use this word to describe someone who is carefully considering something or someone who is being kind and considerate of others.

• He gave her a thoughtful gift, showing how much he cared

This word is appropriate when you're describing a deep, almost poetic sense of sadness or sorrow, often without a clear reason.

• The melancholic music echoed through the empty halls, reminding him of his lost love

Use this word to describe a feeling of deep sadness or grief, usually because of a loss or death. This word has a stronger negative connotation.

• The mournful cry of the widow could be heard throughout the quiet village