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

Though most may be in a shared situation in reality, at least one person could cling to wishful belief in a happy fantasy, or someone may not be fully transparent. —Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026

Their thinking, however, is wishful. —Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

What are the most unlikely outcomes from this array of wishful events? —Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 21 Nov. 2025

Zone coverage seems more wishful than actual. —Pete Sampson, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

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