Hope Meaning
Hope Definition & Usage
A feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen.
Examples
- "She looked out the window with hope in her eyes, waiting for him to return."
- "I hope this project will bring us success and recognition."
- "The child held onto the hope that his missing cat would come back home."
- "We have to hold on to hope, even when things seem impossible."
- "There’s always hope, no matter how tough life gets."
To expect with confidence and desire something to happen.
Examples
- "I hope we can make it to the concert in time."
- "They hoped for better weather, but it rained all day."
- "She hopes to start her own business after finishing college."
- "He hopes that the decision will be in his favor."
- "We are hoping for a swift recovery after the surgery."
A person or thing that brings or represents a sense of encouragement or optimism.
Examples
- "The rescue team was a beacon of hope during the crisis."
- "Her smile was a small hope in the darkness of his life."
- "The new policy offers a glimmer of hope for struggling workers."
- "The community came together as a symbol of hope after the disaster."
- "He was the hope of the team, the one who could turn everything around."
Cultural Context
Hope is a central concept in many philosophical, religious, and cultural traditions. It is seen as a driving force behind human perseverance and resilience, especially in times of difficulty or despair. In Western culture, hope is often tied to personal aspirations and the pursuit of a better future, whereas in many Eastern cultures, hope is often seen as a more tranquil, inner-state feeling or acceptance of life's unpredictability.
A Ray of Hope
Story
A Ray of Hope
In a small coastal village, life had always been challenging. The fishermen would leave early each morning, braving the unpredictable tides, while the women tended to their homes, waiting for their husbands' safe return. Among them was Emily, a young woman whose husband, Samuel, had been missing for weeks after a storm claimed the lives of several boats. Every day, Emily would walk to the beach, staring at the horizon with hope in her heart. One afternoon, as the sun began to set, a distant figure appeared on the shore. It was Samuel, exhausted but alive. The hope she had held onto for so long surged within her. Tears of joy streamed down her face as she ran toward him. "I knew you would come back," she whispered, "I never lost hope." Samuel smiled weakly. "I didn’t know if I would make it, but somehow, I kept hoping I would find my way home. Hope kept me going." As they embraced, a group of villagers gathered around, some celebrating with shouts of joy, others simply wiping away tears. Samuel’s return was not just a miracle for Emily; it was a symbol of hope for the entire community. In the weeks that followed, the village slowly began to heal, buoyed by the faith that even in the darkest moments, hope could still light the way. But hope wasn’t just about waiting for good things to happen. It was about the actions people took to bring those things to fruition. The villagers came together to rebuild the boats, to support each other, and to ensure that no one would ever have to face a crisis alone again. In their unity, they found a deeper, more lasting hope. Hope wasn’t just an emotion, Samuel realized, it was a force, something that could be nurtured and shared, and in doing so, it could create a new future for them all.
