How to pronounce hopeful
Say it like HOHP-ful. Hopeful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hopeful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOHP
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hopeful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HOHPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of hopeful
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HOHP-ful.
What does hopeful mean?
- having or manifesting hope“a line of people hopeful of obtaining tickets”“found a hopeful way of attacking the problem”
- likely to turn out well in the future“had a bright future in publishing”“the scandal threatened an abrupt end to a promising political career”
- an ambitious and aspiring young person“a lofty aspirant”“two executive hopefuls joined the firm”
Where does hopeful come from?
From hope + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying hopeful
How do you pronounce hopeful?
Say HOHP-ful. The American pronunciation is /ˈhoʊpfəl/. In British English it is /ˈhəʊpfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hopeful?
Hopeful has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHP). Broken into parts: HOHP · ful.
Is hopeful pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈhəʊpfəl/ (HOHP-ful).