Meaning & Definition of word "Wishful"

Wishful

/ˈwɪʃfəl/

1. Having or showing a longing or desire for something that may not happen.
- Example: Her wishful thinking led her to believe that she could win the lottery.
2. Characterized by or expressing hope or desire.
- Example: The wishful expressions on their faces revealed their dreams of a better future.
3. Not grounded in reality; based on fantasies or unrealistic expectations.
- Example: His wishful aspirations of becoming a star musician didn't align with his lack of practice.

The word 'wishful' is derived from 'wish' + the suffix '-ful', indicating a quality of having wishes or desires.

wishful thinking:

The practice of believing that something is possible even when it is unlikely.

wishful hopes:

Desires for outcomes that are improbable.

wishful dreams:

Dreams that reflect unrealistic aspirations.

wish:

A desire or hope for something to happen.

dream:

A series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.

hope:

A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

Meaning: Pie in the sky

Example Sentence: His plans for a vacation are just pie in the sky; he's not going to afford it.

Meaning: Daydreamer

Example Sentence: Don't be a daydreamer; focus on your studies instead of those wishful thoughts.