hope

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a specific instance of feeling hopeful

   it revived their hope of winning the pennant

2. 2
   noun

   the general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled

   In spite of the troubles, we never gave up hope.

3. 3
   noun

   someone or something on which expectations are centered

   I was their best hope for a victory.

4. 4
   verb

   intend with some possibility of fulfilment

   I hope to have finished this work by tomorrow evening

5. 5
   verb

   be optimistic

   be full of hope

6. 6
   verb

   To want (something) to happen, with a sense of expectation that it might [with that (+ clause); or (informal) with clause; or with so or (negative) not].

   They are hoping it does not rain, but I expect it will.

7. 7
   verb

   To intend to do something and look forward to the prospect of having done it [with to (+ infinitive)].

   I hope to succeed.

8. 8
   verb

   To expect optimistically that one might get something (either a change in circumstance or an object) [with for].

   They're hoping for the best, but I don't think it's looking very good.

Etymology

From Middle English hopen, from Old English hopian (“hope”), from Proto-West Germanic *hopōn, further etymology unclear. Cognates Cognate with Saterland Frisian, West Frisian hoopje (“to hope”), Cimbrian hòffan (“to hope”), Dutch hopen (“to hope”), German, Luxembourgish hoffen (“to hope”), Vilamovian höfnan (“hope”), Yiddish האָפֿן (hofn, “to hope”), Danish håbe (“to hope”), Norwegian Bokmål håpe (“to hope”), Norwegian Nynorsk håpa, håpe (“to hope”), Swedish hoppas (“to hope”).