Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Hopeful \Hope"ful\, a.
   1. Full of hope, or agreeable expectation; inclined to hope;
      expectant.

            Men of their own natural inclination hopeful and
            strongly conceited.                   --Hooker.

   2. Having qualities which excite hope; affording promise of
      good or of success; as, a hopeful youth; a hopeful
      prospect. ``Hopeful scholars.'' --Addison. --
      {Hope"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Hope"ful*ness}, n.

Source : WordNet®

hopeful
     n : an ambitious and aspiring young person; "a lofty aspirant";
         "two executive hopefuls joined the firm"; "the audience
         was full of Madonna wannabes" [syn: {aspirant}, {aspirer},
          {wannabe}, {wannabee}]

hopeful
     adj 1: having or manifesting or inspiring hope; "a line of people
            hopeful of obtaining tickets"; "found a hopeful way of
            attacking the problem" [ant: {hopeless}]
     2: presaging good fortune; "she made a fortunate decision to go
        to medical school"; "rosy predictions" [syn: {fortunate},
        {rosy}]