Wishful Meaning
/ˈwɪʃfəl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjWished-for; desired, wanted.
adjExpressing a wish or longing for something.
Sentence Examples
This is nothing more than wishful thinking.
Investors must distinguish between genuine value creation and wishful thinking.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ thinking led her to believe the impossible dreams would come true.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Some people criticized the plan for being a bit ____, suggesting that it was not possible to achieve such a goal today.
Word Origin & History
From wish + -ful.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The cry whereof entring the hollow cave / Eftsoones brought forth the villaine, as they ment, / With hope of her some wishfull boot to have."
— 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book V, Canto IX”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
"When she weighed anchor I went to the waterside and looked at her with a very wishful and aching heart, and followed her with my eyes and tears until she was totally out of sight."
— 1789, Olaudah Equiano, chapter 5, in The Interesting Narrative, volume I:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her ____ thinking led her to believe the impossible dreams would come true.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Some people criticized the plan for being a bit ____, suggesting that it was not possible to achieve such a goal today.