What does hope mean?
Hope is a central English word for the belief that a good outcome is possible, even when it is not certain. As a noun, it can name that belief itself, as in 'a sense of hope,' or a particular wish for the future, as in 'her hopes for the children.' As a verb, it describes wanting or anticipating a favorable result: 'We hope to see you soon.' Hope is often paired with uncertainty, but it also carries an active, motivational quality, encouraging patience, effort, and openness to better possibilities. It differs from expectation, which often implies that an outcome is more likely, and from mere wish, which can be less tied to a considered belief that the outcome is possible. In everyday use, hope can be both serious and hopeful, expressing the human tendency to look toward a better future.
A belief, expectation, or feeling that something good will happen; also, a wish for a particular outcome.
"The children waited with hope for the snow to stop."
Common constructions include 'a sense of hope,' 'a glimmer of hope,' and 'hope for.'
To want something to happen or to believe, without certainty, that it will happen.
"We hope the weather improves before the weekend."
Often used with a that-clause or an infinitive, as in 'hope that' and 'hope to.'
Use the plural when referring to multiple wishes, expectations, or aspirations.
"Despite the setbacks, she continued to hold hopes for a successful recovery."
Hope is the future-facing part of the human mind: it lets us act today for a better tomorrow without pretending that tomorrow is guaranteed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hope come from?
The English word hope comes through Old English hopian, from the Germanic root represented by Old Norse hápa, meaning to expect or trust. The word is related to a broader Indo-European family associated with Latin sperare, 'to hope,' and speres, 'hope.' English derivatives include hopeful, hopeless, and hopefully, while cognate formations include despair, desperate, prosper, and prosperity.
Related word forms
How hope is actually used
Hope is common in both formal and informal English. It is often followed by a that-clause or a for-construction, as in 'hope that' and 'hope for.' In informal contexts, 'I hope so' and 'I hope not' are frequent short responses.
Easily confused with hope
Hope involves wanting and believing that a good outcome is possible, whereas expect usually suggests that an outcome is considered likely or expected.