hopeful

1 of 2

adjective

hope·​ful ˈhōp-fəl 

1

: having qualities which inspire hope

hopeful signs of economic recovery

2

: full of hope : inclined to hope

hopefulness noun

hopeful

2 of 2

noun

: aspirant

Olympic hopefuls

Synonyms

Adjective

• promising
• optimistic
• bright

Noun

• candidate
• contender
• expectant

Examples of hopeful in a Sentence

Adjective

The mood is sad rather than hopeful.

He was hopeful that things would get better soon.

I still feel hopeful about the future.

She is hopeful of winning the race.

a hopeful tone of voice

There are hopeful signs that the crisis may end soon.

The movie has a hopeful ending.

Investigators report that there have been some hopeful developments in the case.

Noun

the three mayoral hopefuls are going to debate on local TV

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

When Fulham gave the ball back to Brentford shortly after the resumption, King pressed with intensity, forcing the visitors into a hopeful long pass. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 22 Sep. 2025

Paterson seemed to have the diva crown clinched until Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels and another mayoral hopeful, showed up in his red beret. —Henry Alford, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

Noun

There were folks who work in tech, two Detroit firefighters, sports team mascots, a family of 12, a pro basketball player, an Olympic hopeful and the man who holds the most Guinness world records. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2025

Only a third of hopefuls nab a permit through the rolling lottery for peak summer season. —Madison Chapman, Outside, 17 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1720, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hopeful

1 of 2 adjective

hope·​ful ˈhōp-fəl 

1

: having qualities which inspire hope

2

: full of or inclined to hope

hopefulness noun

hopeful

2 of 2 noun

: a person who has hopes or is considered promising