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Definition of wishfully
wishfully
/ˈwɪʃ.fəl.i/
wish · ful · ly
Adjective:wishful
wishfully Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
2
Usage
Top 10k
Syllables
3
wishfully Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• adverb
1
In a manner that expresses or is based on a strong desire or hope for something to happen, especially when it is unlikely or unrealistic.
Example
"The children stared wishfully through the bakery window at the freshly frosted cupcakes."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for wishfully Antonyms
View all antonyms for wishfullyWord Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'wishfully' with 'wistfully'; 'wishfully' expresses a hopeful desire for something that may be unlikely to happen, whereas 'wistfully' conveys a feeling of sad, nostalgic, or melancholic longing.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Wishfully. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/wishfully