wishful

adjective

wish·​ful ˈwish-fəl 

1

a

: expressive of a wish : hopeful

looked at the toys with wishful eyes

b

: having a wish : desirous

2

: according with wishes rather than reality

wishful dreams

wishfully

ˈwish-fə-lē 

adverb

wishfulness noun

Examples of wishful in a Sentence

her wishful attempts to change her husband's bad habits

Recent Examples on the Web

That was a righteous-sounding if vague principle that turned out to be largely wishful. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026

After days of teasing — and a wishful trip to the Trevi Fountain à la Lizzie McGuire — Hilary Duff has announced 2027 tour dates. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026

Nonmaterialism was the sort of wishful nonsense preached by those who weren’t in any real danger of going hungry. — Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026

Early spring is the season that separates wishful gardeners from productive ones. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing wishful

• wishful thinking

Kids Definition

wishful

adjective

wish·​ful ˈwish-fəl 

1

: having a wish : desirous

2

: based on wishes rather than fact

wishful thinking

wishfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

wishfulness noun