hope
the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to give up hope.
a particular instance of this feeling: the hope of winning.
grounds for this feeling in a particular instance: There is little or no hope of his recovery.
a person or thing in which expectations are centered: The medicine was her last hope.
something that is hoped for: Her forgiveness is my constant hope.
to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory.
to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early spring.
Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually followed by in).
Idioms about hope
hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a change in her condition.
Origin of hope
1Other words for hope
Other words from hope
- hop·er, noun
- hop·ing·ly, adverb
- self-hope, noun
- un·hop·ing, adjective
- un·hop·ing·ly, adverb
Words Nearby hope
Other definitions for Hope (2 of 2)
Anthony, pen name of Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins.
Bob Leslie Townes Hope, 1903–2003, U.S. comedian, born in England.
John, 1868–1936, U.S. educator.
a town in SW Arkansas.
a female given name.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use hope in a sentence
The hope was that greater transparency about performance would drive results.
The ‘No Child’ Rewrite Threatens Your Kids’ Future | Jonah Edelman | January 3, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTSpeaking to a local radio station today Antonella Ramelli said the video gives her hope.
Jihadis Release New Year’s Eve Video of Italian Female Hostages | Jamie Dettmer, Barbie Latza Nadeau | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST“The closer we get to ‘16, the tougher it’s going to be, so I hope we start quickly,” he said.
Can This Republican Bring the GOP Back to Its Senses on Immigration? | Tim Mak | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST“We hope that the aircraft is found quickly, and we can find out the cause of what has happened,” he said.
The Presumed Crash of AirAsia Flight QZ8501 Is Nothing Like MH370 | Lennox Samuels | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTNow imagine that one day hope appeared, an unexpected opportunity to free yourself, to finally be yourself.
The Insurance Company Promised a Gender Reassignment. Then They Made a Mistake. | James Joiner | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Joe looked at her with a smile, his face still solemn and serious for all its youth and the fires of new-lit hope behind his eyes.
The Bondboy | George W. (George Washington) OgdenThere was no doubt thought of his own loss in this question: yet there was, one may hope, a germ of solicitude for the mother too.
Children's Ways | James SullyBut I hope at least to play to him a few times, and what is more important, to hear him play repeatedly.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy Fay"I hope you don't think I speak always to strangers, like that," said the girl in the rose hat.
Rosemary in Search of a Father | C. N. WilliamsonYou don't mind staying here in the sunshine, I hope, while my coat dries?
The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Arthur Scott Bailey
British Dictionary definitions for hope (1 of 2)
/ (həʊp) /
(sometimes plural) a feeling of desire for something and confidence in the possibility of its fulfilment: his hope for peace was justified; their hopes were dashed
a reasonable ground for this feeling: there is still hope
a person or thing that gives cause for hope
a thing, situation, or event that is desired: my hope is that prices will fall
not a hope or some hope used ironically to express little confidence that expectations will be fulfilled
(tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to desire (something) with some possibility of fulfilment: we hope you can come; I hope to tell you
(intr often foll by for) to have a wish (for a future event, situation, etc)
(tr; takes a clause as object) to trust, expect, or believe: we hope that this is satisfactory
Origin of hope
1Derived forms of hope
- hoper, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Hope (2 of 2)
/ (həʊp) /
Anthony, real name Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins. 1863–1933, English novelist; author of The Prisoner of Zenda (1894)
Bob, real name Leslie Townes Hope. 1903–2003, US comedian and comic actor, born in England. His films include The Cat and the Canary (1939), Road to Morocco (1942), and The Paleface (1947). He was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1998
David (Michael). Baron. born 1940, British churchman, Archbishop of York (1995–2005)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with hope
In addition to the idioms beginning with hope
- hope against hope
- hope springs eternal
also see:
- great white hope
- in hopes of
- live in (hope of)
- not a hope in hell
- pin one's hopes on
- while there's life, there's hope
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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