ˈ ̷ ̷fəl adjective
Etymology: wish (II) + -ful
1. obsolete : fulfilling a wish : attractive , desirable
having so wishful an opportunity … I could not but send you this friendly salute — James Howell
2.
a. : expressive of a wish : hopeful , longing
looked at the toys with wishful eyes
the performance of wishful magical exercises — Frederica de Laguna
b. : having a wish : eager , desirous
wishful to have your cake and eat it — P.B.Kyne
3. : based on wishes rather than reality
the wishful , ideal America of the American myth — Joseph Frank
indulged … in wishful dreams of an easy peace — Hans Kohn
• wish·ful·ly -fəlē, -li adverb