Wishful
/ˈwɪʃfəl/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Wishful means having a strong hope or desire for something, even if it is unlikely or not realistic. It often describes thoughts or feelings based more on wishes than facts or reality.
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See It in Action
Having a strong desire or hope for something unlikely
- •She gave a wishful smile when talking about winning the lottery.
- •His wishful thinking made him believe he could finish the project in one day.
- •It was wishful to expect the team to win without practicing.
Thinking or imagining something in a way that is not realistic
- •The plan was based on wishful ideas rather than facts.
- •Don’t be wishful about the results; prepare for the worst.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "wishful" like "hopeful" (A2 word), but more about wanting something that probably won't happen
- ✓Picture someone closing their eyes and quietly hoping for a magic gift, even though it’s not likely to come
- ✓It's the feeling when you want something very much, like wishing on a star or for a miracle
- ✓Sounds like "wish-full" → imagine a cup full of wishes, but not all can come true
- ✓Think of fairy tales where characters have wishful dreams, hoping for a happy ending even against the odds
- ✓NOT like "realistic" (based on facts), wishful is based on desire, not reality
- ✓NOT like "certain" (sure to happen), wishful is unsure and often unlikely
- ✓NOT like "hopeful" (positive expectation), wishful can be more about fantasy or dreaming without proof
Try Other Words
- •Hopeful: expecting or wanting something good to happen (Use when the expectation feels possible and positive)
- •Dreamy: thinking about things in a pleasant, unrealistic way (Use when the wishful feeling is more like daydreaming)
- •Optimistic: having a positive view about the future (Use when the attitude is based on belief, not just wish)
- •Unrealistic: not based on reality or facts (Use when emphasizing that a wishful idea is not practical)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "wish" (a desire) + suffix "-ful" (full of)
- •Etymology: From English, combining "wish" meaning a desire and "-ful" meaning full of that feeling
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe feelings or thoughts full of wishes or hopes
- •Modern usage: Often used to describe thoughts or attitudes that are hopeful but not based on reality
- •Key insight: It describes a state of mind full of desires, often ignoring how likely something is
Reflect & Connect
•When can being wishful help you, and when can it cause problems?
•How do you know the difference between wishful thinking and realistic planning?
Fill in the blanks
1.He was ___ when he believed the impossible would happen without any effort.
2.A ___ attitude can sometimes stop people from preparing well for real challenges.
3.Saying "I will win the race without training" is an example of ___ thinking.
4.She gave a ___ glance at the sky, hoping for a sign of good news.
5.Unlike realistic goals, wishful ideas often ignore ___ facts or difficulties.
6.It’s good to be hopeful but not too ___ about things you cannot control.
7.When plans are based on ___ hopes, they often fail because they ignore reality.