What does wishful mean?
Wishful is an adjective describing hopes, desires, or assumptions that are not firmly grounded in reality. It is especially familiar in the phrase wishful thinking, which refers to the tendency to believe that a desirable outcome will occur despite contrary evidence or obvious difficulties. A wishful plan may therefore sound appealing while failing to address practical problems. The word can also describe an emotional state, as in someone being wishful for a particular place, experience, or outcome. Although similar in meaning to hopeful, wishful often implies a degree of fantasy, impracticality, or self-deception. It is particularly useful when discussing optimistic predictions, unrealistic proposals, and idealized views of the future, while remaining neutral enough for general contexts in British and American English.
adjectiveHaving or expressing a wish or desire; desirous of something, often in a way that is unrealistic or unlikely to be fulfilled.
- Desirous or hopeful of obtaining something, especially when the desire is not based on realistic expectations.
"Her optimism was more wishful than realistic."
"The proposal sounded attractive, but some of its promises were plainly wishful."
"They engaged in wishful thinking rather than confronting the financial shortfall."
Wishful thinking can make a desired future feel familiar long before it becomes possible.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wishful come from?
Wishful was formed in English in the late 16th century from the verb wish and the adjective-forming suffix -ful. Its base is the English verb wish, which is inherited from Old English. The suffix -ful is widely used in English to indicate that something is full of a particular quality, as in wish + -ful means full of wishing.
Related word forms
How wishful is actually used
The adjective is common in both formal and informal English. It often carries a mildly critical connotation because wishful ideas or assumptions may disregard practical difficulties.
Easily confused with wishful
Wishful means desirous or hopeful, often unrealistically, whereas wistful describes a melancholy or longing sadness.