hopeful

comparative more hopeful · superlative most hopeful · alternative archaic hopefull

1. Feeling hope

   I have been very hopeful.

   3 more examples

   I am hopeful that I will recover from the disease.

   They were not very hopeful of success, but nothing else occurring to them to do, they decided to make the attempt.

   1918, James George Frazer, Folk-Lore In The Old Testament, volume 1, page 151

   Speaking with reporters during a stop in New York, Mr. Biden offered the most hopeful assessment of the hostage talks by any major figure in many days, suggesting that the war might be close to a major turning point.

   2024 February 26, Peter Baker and Michael D. Shear, “Biden Says He’s Hopeful for a Gaza Cease-Fire Within a Week”, in The New York Times

2. Inspiring hope

   It looks hopeful that my father will be able to walk again.

   1 more example

   The night was further proof that the Democratic Party’s cruel summer had given way to a more hopeful election season.

   2024 November 9, Katie Rogers, Matt Stevens and Emily Cochrane, “How Taylor Swift Surprised Harris, and Entered a New Political Era”, in The New York Times

plural hopefuls · alternative archaic hopefull

1. Someone who is hoping for success or victory, especially as a candidate in a political election.

   Several presidential hopefuls are campaigning in New Hampshire this week.

   1 more example

   Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and several other Republican presidential hopefuls spent Tuesday in New Hampshire, while Mike Pence, the former vice president, was in Iowa.

   2023 April 7, Jonathan Weisman and Jazmine Ulloa, “The Republican Who Didn’t Campaign on Independence Day? Trump.”, in The New York Times