wistful

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Feeling or showing a quiet, slightly sad longing for something, often something in the past.

   Grammar: Describes a person's expression, mood, or look; can be modified by more/most.

   Patterns

   • a wistful smile
   • wistful about something
   • feel wistful

   She gave a wistful smile as she looked at old photos.

   He felt wistful about the summers he spent at his grandmother's house.

   The song made me feel wistful for my childhood.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Showing a gentle, melancholy thoughtfulness, especially about something you cannot have.

   Grammar: Often used of looks, eyes, or tones of voice that suggest longing.

   Patterns

   • wistful eyes
   • a wistful tone

   He had a wistful look in his eyes when he talked about his old band.

   She spoke in a wistful tone about the friends she had lost touch with.

Word forms

Common combinations

wistful smile

She gave a wistful smile as she watched the children play.

wistful look

He had a wistful look when he saw the old house.

feel wistful

I feel wistful when I hear that song.

wistful about

She was wistful about the days when they were young.

Synonyms and how they differ

nostalgic

Nostalgic is specifically about longing for the past; wistful can be about any unfulfilled desire.

melancholy

Melancholy is a deeper, more persistent sadness; wistful is gentler and often mixed with pleasure.

yearning

Yearning suggests a stronger, more active desire; wistful is quieter and more resigned.

Opposites

Word family

wistfully adverb

In a wistful manner.

wistfulness noun

The quality of being wistful.

Commonly confused: wistful or wishful?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “wistful”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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