Hope

/hoʊp/

Meaning & Definition

noun

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

Despite the challenges, she held on to hope for a better future.

A person or thing that may help or save someone.

He became her last hope after everyone else had given up.

verb

To want something to happen or be the case.

I hope to finish my project by the end of the week.

To feel that something good will happen.

We hope that the weather will be nice for the picnic.

Middle English, from Old English 'hopian'.

hope for the best

To expect or wish for a positive outcome.

hold out hope

To maintain optimism in a challenging situation.

hope against hope

To continue to hope even when there seems to be little or no chance.

hopeful

Feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event.

hopeless

Having no hope.

I'm hoping for something good.

I’m really hoping for a snow day tomorrow!

To have a ray of hope.

After the interview, I feel I have a ray of hope.