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

The most hopeful voices of every subsequent generation have chosen to define democracy Jefferson’s way. —Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026

Japan’s box office came roaring back to good health in 2025 — a hopeful indicator for the battered global theatrical business, delivered from what remains the world’s third-largest film market. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026

Noun

The championship hopefuls from the Fort Worth area could clash with DeSoto in an eventual playoff run. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Jan. 2026

The group's creators plugged six star hopefuls, mostly American but representing different ethnic backgrounds, into HYBE's trainee system, with the express purpose of promoting them in the American market. —Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 29 Jan. 2026

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