hopeful

hopeful — adjective

IPA/ˈhəʊpfl/
KK[hˈopfəl]IPA/ˈhəʊpfl/
  • hopefulpositive
  • more hopefulcomparative
  • most hopefulsuperlative

1. feeling that something you wish for is likely to become real, often because the

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

feeling that something you wish for is likely to become real, often because the signs or your own attitude support that belief

Example

Sari felt hopeful about her job interview after the manager smiled warmly.

hopeful + about + noun phrase

The children were hopeful that their father would come home early from the trip.

hopeful + that + clause

Common collocations
  • feel hopeful
  • remain hopeful
  • hopeful about
  • hopeful that
  • cautiously hopeful
Synonyms
  • optimistic

    broader and more general — describes a long-term outlook on life, not just a specific wish

  • confident

    stronger and more self-assured — implies near-certainty rather than just positive expectation

  • upbeat

    informal — emphasises cheerful mood rather than specific hope about an outcome

Antonyms
  • hopeless

    the direct opposite — having no belief that things can improve

  • pessimistic

    expecting the worst rather than the best

Grammar Patterns

feel / be hopeful + about + noun/gerund

feel / be hopeful + that + clause

Usage Note

Often takes the prepositions 'about' or 'of', or a that-clause. Not followed by a to-infinitive — use 'hopeful that' or 'hopeful about' instead.

Common Mistakes

I am hopeful to get the job
I am hopeful that I will get the job' or 'I am hopeful about getting the job
'hopeful' cannot be followed by a to-infinitive.

2. giving you reason to think that something good will happen or that a situation w

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

giving you reason to think that something good will happen or that a situation will turn out well

Example

The early test results were a hopeful sign that the treatment was working.

hopeful sign — attributive use

Karim found the hopeful tone of the doctor's message very reassuring.

hopeful tone — attributive use

Common collocations
  • hopeful sign
  • hopeful news
  • hopeful tone
  • hopeful development
  • hopeful outlook
  • look hopeful
Synonyms
  • promising

    focuses on future potential rather than current encouragement

  • encouraging

    emphasises that the news makes someone feel supported or motivated

  • positive

    more general — can describe any favourable result or quality

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

hopeful + noun (sign / news / development)

be / seem / look hopeful

Usage Note

Describes things (signs, news, results) that give hope to others. Not used to describe a person's own feelings — that is Sense 1 (FEELING OPTIMISTIC).

Common Mistakes

The good news made me hopeful' (describing the news itself)
The good news was hopeful
when describing the thing that gives hope, use 'hopeful' directly on the thing, not on the person's reaction.

hopeful — noun

IPA/ˈhəʊp.fəl/
KK[hˈopfəl]IPA/ˈhoʊp.fəl/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three describe a positive mental state, but they differ in scope and strength. 'Optimistic' is the broadest — it refers to a general tendency to expect good outcomes in life, not just one specific situation ('She is optimistic about the future of the planet'). 'Confident' is stronger and more personal, implying self-assurance and near-certainty based on skill or knowledge ('He is confident he will pass the exam'). 'Upbeat' is informal and focuses on cheerful mood rather than actual expectation ('The host's upbeat attitude kept the show lively'). Use 'hopeful' when the feeling is grounded in wanting something to happen, even if the evidence is mixed — it sits somewhere between cautious optimism and quiet faith. Example: 'I am hopeful the rain will stop before the picnic' (less certain than confident, less general than optimistic, less about mood than upbeat).

optimistic ↗confident ↗upbeat ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • feel hopeful
  • remain hopeful
  • look hopeful

Prepositions

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in English by adding the suffix '-ful' (meaning 'full of') to 'hope'. The noun 'hope' traces back to Old English 'hopa', which comes from a Proto-Germanic root expressing trust or expectation. The adjective form 'hopeful' has been in use since the 1500s, originally describing a person's state of mind, and later extending to describe things that inspire hope.