Hope — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈhōp/

Meaning & Definition of Hope

Hope (verb)

  1. to cherish a desire with anticipation, to want something to happen or be true
  2. trust
  3. to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment

Hope (noun)

  1. desire accompanied by expectation of obtaining what is desired or belief that it is obtainable; also, expectation of fulfillment or success
  2. someone or something on which hopes are centered
  3. something desired or hoped for

Hope (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in wish, dream

    similar: dream, wish, aim, allow (chiefly Southern & Midland), aspire, calculate, contemplate, design, go (chiefly Southern & Midland), intend, look, mean, meditate, plan, propose, purport, purpose, consider, debate, mull (over), ponder, attempt, endeavor, strive, struggle, try, plot, scheme, accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, perform

Hope (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in optimism, hopefulness

    similar: hopefulness, rosiness, brightness, cheerfulness, perkiness, sunniness, idealism, meliorism, bullishness, optimism, sanguinity
    opposite: bearishness, pessimism, skepticism, apprehension, caution, concern, cynicism, despair, desperation, discouragement, disheartenment, hopelessness, bleakness, cheerlessness, dreariness, gloom, gloominess, pragmatism, realism

  2. as in confidence, faith

    similar: confidence, credence, faith, stock, trust, acceptance, assurance, assuredness, certainty, certitude, conviction, positiveness, sureness, surety, credit, dependence, reliance

  3. as in wish, aim

    similar: aim, ambition, aspiration, bourne, design, dream, end, goal, idea, ideal, intent, intention, mark, meaning, object, objective, plan, point, pretension, purpose, target, thing, desire, mind, wish, grail, holy grail, plot, project, scheme, destination, terminus

Related Entry: Hope (for) (verb)

Hope (for) is a different word from Hope. The synonyms below are for hope (for), not for hope.

  1. to believe in the future occurrence of (something)

    "he was hoping for an A in English"

    similar: anticipate, await, expect, watch (for), look for, look forward to
    related: bank on, count (on or upon), depend (on or upon), rely (on or upon), wait (for), envisage, envision, foresee, foretell, predict, prophesy, assume, presume, presuppose, contemplate, eye, view
    near: doubt, question

Related Entry: Hope chest (noun)

Hope chest is a different word from Hope. The synonyms below are for hope chest, not for hope.

  1. as in caisson

    similar: caisson, canteen, minaudière, compartment, vault, bandbox, hatbox, jewel box, snuffbox, tinderbox, coffin, coffer, lockbox, safe, safe-deposit box, strongbox, footlocker, sea chest, carton, crate, bin, box, caddy, case, casket, chest, locker, trunk

Related Entry: Hope chests (noun)

Hope chests is a different word from Hope. The synonyms below are for hope chests, not for hope.

  1. as in caissons

    similar: caissons, canteens, minaudières, compartments, vaults, bandboxes, hatboxes, jewel boxes, snuffboxes, tinderboxes, coffins, coffers, lockboxes, safe-deposit boxes, safes, strongboxes, footlockers, sea chests, cartons, crates, bins, boxes, caddies, cases, caskets, chests, lockers, trunks

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hope

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hope:

Chiefly Southern & Midland: allow, go
dream, wish, aim, aspire, calculate, contemplate, design, intend, look, mean, meditate, plan, propose, purport, purpose, consider, debate, mull (over), ponder, attempt, endeavor, strive, struggle, try, plot, scheme, accomplish, achieve, effect, execute, perform, hopefulness, rosiness, brightness, cheerfulness, perkiness, sunniness, idealism, meliorism, bullishness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Hope

Words with the opposite meaning of Hope:

bearishness, pessimism, skepticism, apprehension, caution, concern, cynicism, despair, desperation, discouragement, disheartenment, hopelessness, bleakness, cheerlessness, dreariness, gloom, gloominess, pragmatism, realism

Word Forms of Hope

Inflections: hoped, hoping, hopes

Derived words: hoper (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Hope

Middle English, from Old English hopian; akin to Middle High German hoffen to hope

First known use: before 12th centuryi

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Hope

Words & Phrases Containing Hope

hope against hope, hope chest, hope for the best, hope not

Frequently Asked Questions about Hope

What does "Hope" mean?

"Hope" means to cherish a desire with anticipation, to want something to happen or be true. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to cherish a desire with anticipation, to want something to happen or be true. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Hope"?

Other words for "Hope" include dream, wish, aim, allow, aspire, calculate, contemplate and design. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hope" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hope"?

There are 85 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hope". Common alternatives include dream, wish, aim, allow, aspire, calculate, contemplate, design, go and intend.

What is the opposite of "Hope"?

Antonyms of "Hope" include bearishness, pessimism, skepticism, apprehension, caution, concern, cynicism and despair.

Is "Hope" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hope" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Hope" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Hope" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Hope"?

"Hope" is pronounced /ˈhōp/.

What is the origin of the word "Hope"?

"Hope" comes from Middle English, from Old English hopian; akin to Middle High German hoffen to hope. First known use: before 12th centuryi.