online vocabulary.com

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.

wistfulness

/ˈwɪstfəlnəs/ /ˈwɪstfəlnəs/

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.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS