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 of hopeful

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

First Choice is hopeful the Supreme Court will reverse the lower courts’ findings and allow the lawsuit to quash the subpoena to go forward. —Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 23 Nov. 2025

The Heat is hopeful Jovic and Wiggins will be back soon from their hip issues. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Nov. 2025

Noun

Republican hopefuls include political commentator Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. —Richard Ramos, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025

Sixteen lucky young men will be brought to Miami, where the music executive and his team will put the hopefuls through the paces to see who will make the final cut. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, 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