Emotions / A2

HOHPFL/ˈhəʊpfl/

Hopeful means you think something good may happen: hopeful about the results, a hopeful smile, stay hopeful. Hope is the noun or verb. Hopeless is the opposite. Optimistic is a more formal cousin. Hopefully as a sentence adverb (hopefully it will not rain) is common in speech. Do not confuse with helpful.

Meaning

Feeling that something good may happen.

Examples

• “She is hopeful about the exam results.”
• “She was hopeful that the half-price fare would still be available.”
• “He gave a hopeful look when the teacher marked the test.”

Good to know

hopeful about. Opposite: hopeless. Noun/verb: hope. Mix-up: helpful.

Near in meaning

optimistic

Topics

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