Wistfulness - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Wistfulness is a melancholic longing or yearning, often mixed with nostalgia, for something lost or unattainable. It conveys a tender, reflective sadness about the past or distant desires.
Definition:
A feeling of melancholy longing or yearning, often with a tinge of nostalgia.
Synonyms:
melancholy, pensiveness, longing, nostalgia
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
joy, contentment
Common Collocations:
wistful smile, wistful memory, wistful expression
Derivatives:
wistfully, wistful
Usage Tips:
Use "wistfulness" to describe a bittersweet emotional state tied to memories or unfulfilled desires.
Common Phrases:
a touch of wistfulness, filled with wistfulness, wistfulness in his eyes
Etymology:
Derived from "wistful," meaning "full of longing," possibly from obsolete "wistly" (attentively) + "-ful."
Examples:
- 1. Her wistfulness grew as she flipped through old photo albums.
- 2. The song evoked a deep sense of wistfulness for his childhood home.
- 3. There was a quiet wistfulness in her voice when she spoke of Paris.
- 4. His eyes held a hint of wistfulness as he watched the sunset alone.