Wistfully: meaning, definitions and examples

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wistfully

[ˈwɪst.fəl.i ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

feeling

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

Synonyms

longingly, nostalgically, yearningly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wistfully	Used when someone is thinking about something they cannot have or something that is no longer possible, often with a sense of sadness. She stared wistfully at the photo of her childhood home. He talked wistfully about the days when he was a young athlete.
longingly	Appropriate when someone intensely desires or craves something they currently do not have. This word conveys a stronger and more direct sense of wanting. He looked longingly at the display of fresh pastries. She gazed longingly at the couple dancing, wishing she could join them.
yearningly	Best used when someone is experiencing an intense, sometimes desperate desire or longing for something. This word implies a deeper emotional craving. She looked yearningly towards the horizon, dreaming of her lost love. He sighed yearningly as he thought about the opportunities he missed.
nostalgically	Ideal when referring to feelings associated with a warm, often bittersweet fondness for the past. It often implies a sense of affection and a slight melancholy. They talked nostalgically about their high school days. Listening to that old song makes him feel nostalgically connected to his youth.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wistfully	Use when expressing a gentle sadness or longing for something in the past, often with a sense of nostalgia. She looked wistfully at the old photo album. He spoke wistfully about his childhood holidays.
regretfully	Appropriate when expressing sadness or disappointment over something that has happened or something that was done, especially when acknowledging a mistake. He regretfully admitted his error. She regretfully declined the invitation, knowing she was too busy.
remorsefully	Best used when expressing deep guilt or sorrow for a wrong one has committed. This word carries a stronger connotation of personal responsibility and remorse. She looked at him remorsefully, realizing the pain she had caused. He apologized remorsefully for his dishonesty.
sorrowfully	Used when expressing profound sadness or grief, often in response to loss or a significant negative event. He spoke sorrowfully about the passing of his dear friend. She looked at the abandoned house sorrowfully, remembering the happy times there.

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'wist,' which means 'to know,' conveying a sense of longing for something familiar.
It became a part of the English language in the early 19th century, showing emotions associated with nostalgia.
The '-fully' ending typically indicates a quality or state, enhancing the sense of deep feeling.

Literature

Writers often use wistful language to evoke emotions in readers, creating a connection between the character and their past.
Famous poems and novels depict characters wistfully reflecting on lost love, childhood, or simpler times, emphasizing the poignancy of memories.
Notable authors such as F. Scott Fitzgerald in 'The Great Gatsby' capture wistfulness to illustrate the beauty and tragedy of unfulfilled dreams.

Psychology

Wistfulness can be connected to bittersweet nostalgia, where pleasant memories coexist with feelings of loss.
Psychologists suggest that wistful feelings can be reflective, prompting personal growth and deeper understanding of one’s past.
Emotional responses labeled as wistful are often linked to moments of transition, such as graduation or moving away from home.

Pop Culture

Many songs capture wistful emotions, often blending themes of love, longing, and the passage of time, such as 'Summer of '69' by Bryan Adams.
Movies frequently depict characters looking back wistfully, as seen in films like 'The Notebook,' which intertwine past and present narratives.
Television shows often feature flashbacks that inspire wistful reflections, leading audiences to empathize with the characters' journeys.

Art

Romantic art frequently portrays wistful subjects, focusing on themes of nature and lost beauty, inviting viewers to feel both melancholy and appreciation.
Impressionist paintings often evoke a sense of wistfulness with their soft colors and dreamlike scenes, capturing fleeting moments in time.
Artists use wistful expressions in portraits, conveying deep emotional states that resonate with viewers, such as longing and remembrance.

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 Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,835, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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20832 exec
20833 whitewashed
20834 juxtaposed
20835 wistfully
20836 jealously
20837 anathema
20838 quarrelled
...