optative
adjective
op·ta·tive
ˈäp-tə-tiv 
1
a
: of, relating to, or constituting a verbal mood that is expressive of wish or desire
b
: of, relating to, or constituting a sentence that is expressive of wish or hope
2
: expressing desire or wish
optative
noun
optatively
adverb
Examples of optative in a Sentence
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History is written in the indicative mood, but lived and remembered in the optative — the grammatical mood of wishful thinking.
—
C. E. Morgan, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2018
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C. E. Morgan, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2018
Cite this Entry
“Optative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optative. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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