hopeful Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an ambitious and aspiring young person
    wannabee; aspirant; wannabe; aspirer.
    • a lofty aspirant
    • two executive hopefuls joined the firm
    • the audience was full of Madonna wannabes
  2. adjective having or manifesting hope
    • a line of people hopeful of obtaining tickets
    • found a hopeful way of attacking the problem
  3. adjective satellite full or promise
    bright; promising.
    • had a bright future in publishing
    • the scandal threatened an abrupt end to a promising political career
    • a hopeful new singer on Broadway

WordNet

Hope"ful adjective
Definitions
  1. Full of hope, or agreeable expectation; inclined to hope; expectant.
    Men of their own natural inclination hopeful and strongly conceited. Hooker.
  2. Having qualities which excite hope; affording promise of good or of success; as, a hopeful youth; a hopeful prospect. "Hopeful scholars." Addison. -- Hope"ful*ly, adv. -- Hope"ful*ness, n.

Webster 1913