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

Greg Fiume / Getty Images A year ago, Michigan fans were hopeful that the Wolverines were ready to move past their off-field distractions and enter a new era of stability with coach Sherrone Moore and quarterback Bryce Underwood. —Austin Meek, New York Times, 12 May 2026

The most hopeful parts of our conversations struck another COVID-era note, though a far happier one. —Akash Kapur, New Yorker, 12 May 2026

Noun

Republican officeholders and hopefuls are still more likely to fret about the president in private than criticize him in public. —Susan Page, USA Today, 6 May 2026

Typically, many hopefuls either cheered or were on dance teams in college. —Lisa Gutierrez may 6, Kansas City Star, 6 May 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