Words / A2

HOHPL-uh-s/ˈhəʊpləs/

Hopeless means without hope, or very bad at something: a hopeless situation, hopeless at cooking, feel hopeless. Hopeful is the opposite of the first sense. Useless is close to “very bad at”. Terrible is a strong everyday cousin. Hopeless at + -ing is a common pattern. Do not use hopeless for a person you dislike — it comments on skill or the future.

Meaning

Without hope, or very bad at something.

Examples

• “I am hopeless at remembering names.”
• “I am hopeless at filling in long visa forms.”
• “Without a map, finding the footpath felt hopeless.”

Good to know

hopeless at + -ing. Opposite (feeling): hopeful. Cousin (skill): useless / terrible.

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