wistfully
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- In a manner showing a feeling of vague or thoughtful longing, often tinged with sadness or melancholy. It describes how an action is performed with a sense of yearning for something that is unattainable, lost, or in the past.
Usage
The adverb "wistfully" modifies a verb to describe how an action is done with a wistful feeling. It is typically used with verbs related to looking, thinking, remembering, speaking, or smiling.
Examples
- He gazed wistfully at the old photographs of his childhood home.
- "I wish I could go back," she said wistfully.
- She smiled wistfully, remembering the summer they had spent together.
Advanced Usage
- "to think/speak/sigh wistfully": To perform these actions while absorbed in yearning or melancholic thought.
- He thought wistfully of the opportunities he had missed.
- "to look/gaze/stare wistfully": To look at something with a longing expression.
- The dog stared wistfully at the empty food bowl.
Variants and Related Words
- Wistful (adjective): Having or showing a feeling of vague or thoughtful longing.
- She had a wistful expression on her face.
- Wistfulness (noun): The state or quality of being wistful.
- A deep wistfulness filled her voice.
Synonyms
- Longingly: With a strong desire or yearning.
- Yearningly: With an intense, often melancholic desire.
- Pensively: In a deeply thoughtful manner, often with some sadness.
- Nostalgically: With a sentimental longing for the past.
Antonyms
- Contentedly: In a satisfied and happy manner.
- Joyfully: With great pleasure and happiness.
- Indifferently: Without interest or concern.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- With a wistful eye: Looking at something with a sense of longing.
- He watched the departing train with a wistful eye.
- A wistful sigh: A sigh that expresses longing or regret.
- She let out a wistful sigh as the music ended.
Adverb
- in a wistful manner
- his sister would have looked beautiful in that dress, he thought wistfully, just like an angel