having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing, suggestive or expressive of melancholy or yearning

wistful smile, wistful thinking, wistful look

Formal and Informal Expressions of wistful

In different contexts, you can replace 'wistful' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'nostalgic, pensive' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'dreamy, thoughtful' is a commonplace synonym.

wistful: Explore its Definition & Usage

wistful Definition

1having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing
2suggestive or expressive of melancholy or yearning

Using wistful: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "wistful" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
She had a wistful expression on her face as she looked out the window.
Example
The old photograph made him feel wistful for his childhood.
Example
He spoke in a wistful tone about the past.

wistful Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for wistful

Antonyms for wistful

Phrases with wistful

wistful smile
a smile that expresses a feeling of vague or regretful longing
Example
She gave him a wistful smile as he left.
wistful thinking
the act of indulging in wishful or fanciful thoughts and ideas, often with a sense of regret or longing
Example
His wistful thinking about the past prevented him from moving forward.
wistful look
a look that expresses a feeling of vague or regretful longing
Example
He gave her a wistful look before turning away.

Origins of wistful

from Middle English 'wist' meaning 'intelligent' or 'knowing', and 'ful' meaning 'full of'

📌

Summary: wistful in Brief

The term 'wistful' [ˈwɪstfʊl] refers to a feeling of vague or regretful longing, often expressed through facial expressions or tone of voice. It is synonymous with 'nostalgic' and 'pensive,' and can be used in phrases like 'wistful smile' or 'wistful thinking.' 'Wistful' is an adjective that suggests a sense of melancholy or yearning.