hope
gb/hˈoʊp/ us/hˈoʊp/
A2
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
state
1
Expectation of something good
A feeling that something good will happen.
Usage pattern:
[someone] has hope for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'hope' with 'wish'. 'Hope' is used for things that could really happen, while 'wish' is often used for things that are unlikely or impossible.
Synonyms
optimism (More general positivity about the future, not always tied to a specific event.)
Antonyms
despair (A complete loss of hope or expectation of anything good.)
Collocations
have hope
|give hope
|lose hope
|hold onto hope
|offer hope
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She never lost hope that her son would return.
- The discovery gave them new hope for a cure.
- There is still hope for peace in the region.
- He felt a glimmer of hope when he saw the rescue team.
- The project offers hope to struggling communities.
Learner examples
- I have hope that I will pass the test.
- They lost hope after many failures.
- We have hope for a better future.
- This news gives me hope.
- She holds onto hope every day.
Verb
A2
action
2
Want and expect something good
To want something to happen and think it can happen.
Usage pattern:
[someone] hopes [that clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'hope' with the past tense when talking about past wishes; correct usage for past situations is 'I hoped'. Also, 'hope' is not usually followed by 'will' in the clause (use present tense instead).
Synonyms
expect (Stronger sense of likelihood; more certain than 'hope'.)
Antonyms
doubt (To think something is unlikely or not true.)
Collocations
hope for the best
|hope against hope
|hope to see
|hope that it works
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I hope you have a great trip.
- We hope that it will be sunny tomorrow.
- She hopes to get the job she applied for.
- They hope their team will win the championship.
- I hope this email finds you well.
Learner examples
- I hope you are happy.
- We hope to see you soon.
- I hope it does not rain.
- They hope for peace.
- He hopes to get a new car.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Possible source of success
A person or thing that may make something good happen.
Synonyms
chance (More general possibility; not necessarily positive or inspiring.)
Antonyms
lost cause (Something or someone with no chance of success.)
Collocations
great hope
|last hope
|only hope
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is the team's best hope for victory.
- This new treatment is our last hope.
- The young player is the country's great hope for the next Olympics.
Learner examples
- He is our best hope to win.
- This is my only hope now.
- She is their last hope.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hope
IPA
GB/hˈoʊp/
US/hˈoʊp/
Syllables & stress
hope (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (hope)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hope
- Plural: hope, hopes
Verb
- Base: hope
- 3rd Person Singular: hopes
- Present Participle: hoping
- Past: hoped
Word family
Forms
hopes
noun
hoping
verb
hoped
verb
Negative and opposite forms
hopeless
adjective B1
hopelessly
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
hopefulness
noun
hopelessness
noun
Expressions
give up hope
1/ɡˈɪv ˈʌp hˈoʊp/
fixed phrase
Stop believing in a good outcome
To stop thinking that something good will happen.
Examples
- After many failures, he gave up hope of finding a job.
- They never gave up hope during the rescue mission.
hope against hope
1/hˈoʊp əɡˈɛnst hˈoʊp/
fixed phrase
literary
Keep hoping despite low chance
To continue hoping even when it seems very unlikely to happen.
Examples
- They hoped against hope that their missing dog would return.
- She hoped against hope that she had passed the exam.
hope for the best
1/hˈoʊp fɚ ðə bˈɛst/
fixed phrase
Expect a good result despite risks
To think that things will end well, even if there are problems now.
Examples
- We don't know what will happen, so let's just hope for the best.
- I studied hard and now I can only hope for the best.
pin your hopes on [something/someone]
1/pˈɪn jˈʊɹ hˈoʊps ˈɔn səmˈɛθɪŋsˈoʊmˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
Rely on someone/something for success
To trust that one person or thing will help you succeed or get what you want.
Examples
- They pinned their hopes on the new coach to turn the team around.
- I'm pinning my hopes on this job interview.