Word
hopeful
Meanings
Feeling or showing expectation that something good will happen.
Likely to succeed or become better; promising.
A person who wants to achieve a particular position or success (often in competitions or elections).
Definition
Feeling or showing confidence that something good will happen.
If you are hopeful, you expect a positive outcome and believe improvement is possible. The word often suggests a realistic, forward-looking attitude rather than certainty. It can describe a person’s mood, a sign that things may go well, or someone aiming to achieve a goal.
Examples
- I’m hopeful that the team can resolve the issue before the launch date.
- She stayed hopeful even after her first proposal was rejected by the committee.
- They are hopeful the negotiations will produce a workable compromise.
- You sound hopeful about the new role, despite the steep learning curve.
- The coach described him as a hopeful, but reminded him that consistency matters.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse hopeful with hopeful of and should usually use hopeful about (something) or hopeful that (a clause).
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.