different between hankering vs wishful

English

Verb

hankering

1. present participle of hanker
   • 2008 May 23, James Graff, "Lost: Labour's Love for Brown," Time:

     [T]here is a clear sense that Britain is hankering for a change at the top.

Noun

hankering (plural hankerings)

1. (often followed by for or after) A strong, restless desire, longing, or mental inclination.
   • 1848, William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair, Chapter 24:

     " […] You don't mean," Mr. Osborne continued, gathering wrath and astonishment as the thought now first came upon him; "you don't mean that he's such a d—— fool as to be still hankering after that swindling old bankrupt's daughter? […] "

1. • 2010 Aug. 12, Michael D. Lemonick, "Study: Lucy's Relatives Used Tools to Butcher Meat," Time:

     In other words, some species of human ancestor . . . not only had a hankering for meat, which scientists had not expected, but used tools to get it.

Synonyms

• craving

Translations

Anagrams

• harkening

English

Etymology

From wish +? -ful.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?w??f?l/

Adjective

wishful (comparative more wishful, superlative most wishful)

1. (obsolete) Wished-for; desired, wanted.
   • 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, V.9:

     The cry whereof entring the hollow cave / Eftsoones brought forth the villaine, as they ment, / With hope of her some wishfull boot to have.

2. Expressing a wish or longing for something.
   • 1789, Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative, vol. I, ch. 5:

     When she weighed anchor I went to the waterside and looked at her with a very wishful and aching heart, and followed her with my eyes and tears until she was totally out of sight.

3. Aspiring, or seeking advancement.

Derived terms

• wishful thinking

Translations