Wistfully: meaning, definitions and examples

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wistfully

 

[ ˈwɪst.fəl.i ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

feeling

In a feeling of yearning or longing accompanied by a slight touch of sadness.

Synonyms

longingly, nostalgically, yearningly

Examples of usage

  • She looked wistfully out the window, dreaming of her childhood home.
  • He smiled wistfully as he remembered the good times they had together.
Context #2 | Adverb

regret

In a manner that shows regret or sorrow for something that has happened or that one has not done.

Synonyms

regretfully, remorsefully, sorrowfully

Examples of usage

  • She wistfully wished she had told him how she felt before it was too late.
  • He wistfully regretted not taking the opportunity when it presented itself.

Translations

Translations of the word "wistfully" in other languages:

🇵🇹 nostalgicamente

🇮🇳 उदासीनता से

🇩🇪 sehnsüchtig

🇮🇩 dengan rindu

🇺🇦 з ностальгією

🇵🇱 tęsknie

🇯🇵 物思いにふけって

🇫🇷 avec nostalgie

🇪🇸 con nostalgia

🇹🇷 özlemle

🇰🇷 그리워하며

🇸🇦 بحنين

🇨🇿 toužebně

🇸🇰 túžobne

🇨🇳 怀念地

🇸🇮 hrepeneče

🇮🇸 með söknuði

🇰🇿 сағынышпен

🇬🇪 ნოსტალგიურად

🇦🇿 həsrətlə

🇲🇽 con nostalgia

Word origin

The word 'wistfully' originates from the verb 'wist', which means to wish or desire. Over time, the adverb 'wistfully' evolved to describe a yearning or regretful feeling. The term has been in use since the 18th century and has been commonly used in literature to convey emotions of longing and regret.