What does "hope" mean?

1. (to want and expect) to want something to happen and believe that it is possible. 2. (to intend) to plan or intend to do something in the future. 3. (the feeling of optimism) the feeling that you want something to happen and that it might happen. 4. (a source of optimism) a person or thing that gives you a reason to feel optimistic. 5. (a valley) a small, closed valley or a hollow in a hill.

hope — meaning, definition & examples

Q: Is it correct to say "I hope you to have a good time."?

No — say "I hope you have a good time.". The verb 'hope' is not followed by an object and an infinitive; use a 'that' clause or a simple present clause instead.

Word

01to want and expect

A2 · Elementary

v. to want something to happen and believe that it is possible.

v. to desire a certain event or state of affairs with a degree of expectation that it will be fulfilled.

“I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow because we are planning a picnic.”

“The diplomatic team hopes that the upcoming summit will provide a framework for a lasting ceasefire in the region.”

Synonyms

wish expect anticipate

Antonyms

despair dread

02to intend

B1 · Intermediate

v. to plan or intend to do something in the future.

v. to intend or plan to perform an action, typically followed by a to-infinitive.

“We are hoping to visit my parents in Italy next summer.”

“The research department is hoping to secure additional funding before the current fiscal year concludes.”

Synonyms

intend plan aim

03the feeling of optimism

A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun

n. the feeling that you want something to happen and that it might happen.

n. the abstract feeling of trust or expectation that a desired outcome is possible.

“The doctors gave the family some hope that the patient would recover.”

“Despite the economic downturn, there is a glimmer of hope that the new trade agreement will stimulate local industry.”

Synonyms

optimism confidence expectation

Antonyms

pessimism despair

04a source of optimism

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a person or thing that gives you a reason to feel optimistic.

n. a person, thing, or circumstance that provides a basis for optimistic expectation.

“This new medicine is the only hope for many people with the disease.”

“The young striker is the team's greatest hope for winning the championship this season.”

Synonyms

anchor light promise

05a valley

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Dialect · British English

n. a small, closed valley or a hollow in a hill.

n. a small enclosed valley or a combe, often found in place names.

“The hikers followed the path deep into the hope between the two green hills.”

“The village was nestled within a narrow hope, sheltered from the harsh northern winds by the surrounding ridges.”

Synonyms

valley hollowcombe

The noun is often followed by a 'that' clause or the preposition 'for'.

I hope you to have a good time.

I hope you have a good time.

The verb 'hope' is not followed by an object and an infinitive; use a 'that' clause or a simple present clause instead.

hope vs wish

Hope describes a desire for a possible or likely future, while wish describes a desire for an impossible situation or something contrary to current reality.

RememberHope is for possibilities; wish is for fantasies.

“In 2018, my colleagues and I wrote in The Lancet that international action was needed to avert further loss of “life, dignity, and hope” among Palestine refugees.”

The Lancet 26 Sept 2026

From Middle English hopen, from Old English hopian, from Proto-West Germanic hopōn. The deeper origin remains unclear.

The Germanic cognates are extensive: Saterland Frisian and West Frisian hoopje, Cimbrian hòffan, Dutch hopen, German and Luxembourgish hoffen, Vilamovian höfnan, Yiddish האָפֿן (hofn), and the Scandinavian forms Danish håbe, Norwegian håpe/håpa, and Swedish hoppas. The word has held remarkably steady in both form and sense across two millennia of West Germanic speech, from the North Sea to the Alps to the Vilamovian enclave in Polish Silesia.

From Old English hopa ("hope, expectation"), a noun formed from the same root as the verb, displacing the earlier esperance borrowed from Middle French. The French loan had enjoyed a brief early modern currency before the native word reasserted itself.