# wishful thinking

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/wishful-thinking
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The formation of beliefs based on an outcome that aligns with one's desires or hopes, while disregarding evidence, rationality, or reality.

## Examples

- Hoping for rain tomorrow is just wishful thinking.
- He keeps saying he'll quit smoking next month, but it's mostly wishful thinking.
- Her conviction that the failing company would somehow recover was less optimism than wishful thinking, born of twenty years she could not bear to leave behind.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.