adjective
wishful
WIHSH-fuhl
Wishful (adjective) means wanting something to be true or to happen, often despite little evidence it will. Example: “His plan to retire at thirty was pure wishful thinking.”
adjective
1
Wanting something to be true or to happen, often despite little evidence it will.
"His plan to retire at thirty was pure wishful thinking."
"She gave a wishful look at the display of holiday brochures."
How to use wishful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHopeful in a way that isn't really based on facts.
Common mistake
Almost always seen in the fixed phrase "wishful thinking," meaning unrealistic optimism.
Common pairings
wishful thinking
a wishful look
wishful hope
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more wishful
- Superlative
- most wishful
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His plan to retire at thirty was pure _____ thinking.
Etymology
From wish plus the adjective ending -ful.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “wishful” mean?
The word “wishful” means wanting something to be true or to happen, often despite little evidence it will. In plain terms, hopeful in a way that isn't really based on facts.
How do you pronounce “wishful”?
“Wishful” is pronounced WIHSH-fuhl (/ˈwɪʃfəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “wishful” in a sentence?
Here is “wishful” used in a sentence: “His plan to retire at thirty was pure wishful thinking.”
What part of speech is “wishful”?
“Wishful” is an adjective.
