C2adverbemotions
US/ˈwɪst.fəl.i/
UK/ˈwɪst.fəl.i/
in a slightly sad way, thinking about something you want or have lost
In context
My grandmother smiled wistfully as she showed us photos from her wedding.
He spoke wistfully about the village where he grew up before the war.
The children stared wistfully at the toys in the shop window.
Words that go with wistfully
verb + adverb
- said wistfully'We were so young then,' she said wistfully.
- smiled wistfullyThe old singer smiled wistfully when the crowd sang his first hit.
- looked wistfullyShe looked wistfully out of the office window at the sunny park.
- sighed wistfully'I miss those long summers,' he sighed wistfully.
- gazed wistfullyFrom his hospital bed, he gazed wistfully at the sea.
- spoke wistfullyAt the reunion, retired players spoke wistfully of their glory days.