hope

1 of 2

verb

ˈhōp 

hoped; hoping; hopes

intransitive verb

1

: to cherish a desire with anticipation : to want something to happen or be true

hopes for a promotion

… all doctors can do is prevent dehydration, wait for the disease to run its course, and hope for the best.

—Gina Kolata

"Do we have enough?" "I hope so."

"Is it too late?" "I hope not."

2

archaic : trust

transitive verb

1

: to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment

hopes to be invited

I hope (that) she remembers.

We hope (that) you feel better soon.

They hope to succeed.

Here's hoping [=I hope] that it doesn't rain.

2

: to expect with confidence : trust

Your mother is doing well, I hope.

hoper noun

hope

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: desire accompanied by expectation of obtaining what is desired or belief that it is obtainable

came in hopes of seeing you

a new medical treatment that has given hope to thousands

also : expectation of fulfillment or success

I have high hopes for success.

We have little/no hope of making the deadline.

They still hold out hope for a possible solution.

when they were young and full of hope

b

: someone or something on which hopes are centered

You're our last/best hope.

At this point their only hope is that someone will offer to buy the company.

c

: something desired or hoped for

hopes and dreams

We have great hopes for the coming year.

My hope is to give my kids the confidence to dream out loud.

—Kristina Kuzmič

2

archaic : trust, reliance

Phrases

hope against hope

: to hope without any basis for expecting fulfillment

Synonyms of hope

Verb

• expect
• anticipate
• watch (for)
• await

Choose the Right Synonym for hope

expect, hope, look mean to await some occurrence or outcome.

expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning.

expects to be finished by Tuesday

hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence or assurance in the possibility that what one desires or longs for will happen.

hopes to find a job soon

look, with to, implies assurance that expectations will be fulfilled

looks to a tidy profit from the sale

; with for it implies less assurance and suggests an attitude of expectancy and watchfulness.

look for rain when the wind shifts to the northeast

Examples of hope in a Sentence

Verb

No one knows yet if anyone survived the crash. At this point, we can only hope.

I hope you're feeling better soon.

That's what she hoped would happen.

Let's hope that the strike ends soon.

I hope I haven't bored you.

Everyone in your family is well, I hope.

Noun

When they started their life together, they were young and full of hope.

Rescuers have not yet abandoned hope that more survivors will be found.

The drug has brought hope to thousands of sufferers.

We allowed ourselves to entertain hopes that the crisis would end soon.

The goal raised the hopes of the team.

The hope is that there will be a settlement soon.

The lawyers do not want to raise false hopes of an early settlement.

He told them the truth with the hope that they would understand.

He had little hope of attending college.

The latest reports hold out hope for a possible end to this crisis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Recent local films have also attracted international funding, a trend Li hopes will accelerate through platforms like TCCF. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025

The Olive Peirce Middle School 8th-grader hopes to become a veterinarian and volunteer her time with animal rescue organizations. —Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025

Noun

Meta, Google, Intel and others have also sought to reduce management layers or organizational bloat in hopes of boosting efficiency. —Annie Palmer, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025

From disasters to everyday hardships, Delivering Good helps to restore comfort, renew hope and help families move forward with dignity. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Old English hopian; akin to Middle High German hoffen to hope

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing hope

• beacon of hope
• beyond hope
• cross my heart and hope to die
• forlorn hope
• glimmer/ray of hope
• great white hope
• hope chest
• hope not
• hope so
• in (the) hope of/that
• live in hope
• only wish/want/hope
• pious hope/wish
• ray of hope
• white hope
• with the hope of

Rhymes for hope

• cope
• dope
• grope
• lope
• mope
• nope
• rope
• scope
• shope
• slope
• soap
• stope

Kids Definition

hope

1 of 2 verb

ˈhōp 

hoped; hoping

: to desire something and expect that it will happen or be obtained

hope to succeed

hope you'll accept the invitation

hope for a bicycle

hope

2 of 2 noun

1

archaic : trust entry 1 sense 1a, reliance

our hope is in the king

2

a

: desire accompanied by expectation of fulfillment

in hope of an early recovery

b

: someone or something on which hopes are centered

a home run was the only hope for victory

c

: something hoped for

Geographical Definition

Hope

geographical name

city in southwestern Arkansas that was the childhood home of President Bill Clinton population 10,095

Biographical Definition

Hope 1 of 3

biographical name (1)

ˈhōp 

Anthony see Sir Anthony Hope hawkins

Hope

2 of 3

biographical name (2)

Bob 1903–2003 originally Leslie Townes Hope American (British-born) comedian

Hope

3 of 3

biographical name (3)

Victor Alexander John 1887–1951 2nd Marquis of Linlithgow lin-ˈlith-(ˌ)gō  British soldier; viceroy of India (1936–43)