hope
[ hohp ]
/ hoʊp /
noun
verb (used with object), hoped, hop·ing.
to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory.
verb (used without object), hoped, hop·ing.
to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early spring.
Archaic.
to place trust; rely (usually followed by in).
Idioms for hope
hope against hope,
to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a change in her condition.
Origin of hope
before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English
hopa; cognate with Dutch
hoop, German
Hoffe; (v.) Middle English
hopen, Old English
hopian
SYNONYMS FOR hope
8 See
expect.
OTHER WORDS FROM hope
Words nearby hope
British Dictionary definitions for hope against hope (1 of 2)
hope
/ (həʊp) /
noun
verb
Derived forms of hope
hoper, nounWord Origin for hope
Old English
hopa; related to Old Frisian
hope, Dutch
hoop, Middle High German
hoffe
British Dictionary definitions for hope against hope (2 of 2)
Hope
/ (həʊp) /
noun
Anthony, real name Sir Anthony Hope Hawkins. 1863–1933, English novelist; author of The Prisoner of Zenda (1894)
Bob, real name Leslie Townes Hope. 1903–2003, US comedian and comic actor, born in England. His films include The Cat and the Canary (1939), Road to Morocco (1942), and The Paleface (1947). He was awarded an honorary knighthood in 1998
David (Michael). Baron. born 1940, British churchman, Archbishop of York (1995–2005)
Idioms and Phrases with hope against hope (1 of 2)
hope against hope
Hope or wish for with little reason or justification, as in I'm hoping against hope that someone will return my wallet. This expression, based on the biblical “Who against hope believed in hope” (Romans 4:18), was first recorded in 1813.
Idioms and Phrases with hope against hope (2 of 2)
hope