Simple Definition of wistful

from our Learner's Dictionary

wistful

adjective

: having or showing sad thoughts and feelings about something that you want to have or do and especially about something that made you happy in the past
She was wistful for a moment, then asked, "Do you remember the old playground?"
He had a wistful look on his face.

Cite this Entry

“Wistful.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/wistful. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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