I. ˈhōpfəl adjective
Etymology: hope (II) + -ful
1. : full of hope or agreeable expectation : inclined to hope : happily expectant
2. : having qualities which inspire hope : giving promise of good or of success
a hopeful prospect
• hope·ful·ly -fəlē, -li adverb
• hope·ful·ness noun -es
II. noun
( -s )
: a person who aspires hopefully or expectantly to become or achieve something
before the convention … meets the various presidential hopefuls have set up headquarters — D.D.McKean
not all who want to write can go to universities … a large army of hopefuls is scattered all over the land — Edward Uhlan