WISTFULLY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does wistfully mean? 

• WISTFULLY (adverb)
  The adverb WISTFULLY has 1 sense:

1. in a wistful manner

  Familiarity information: WISTFULLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WISTFULLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a wistful manner

Context example:

his sister would have looked beautiful in that dress, he thought wistfully, just like an angel

Pertainym:

wistful (showing pensive sadness)

 Context examples 

White Fang gazed at him wistfully.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

“And what do you mean to do, Peggotty,” says I, wistfully.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Hawtayne looked wistfully in their direction.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But her heart was very heavy, she longed to be at home, and every day looked wistfully across the lake, waiting for Laurie to come and comfort her.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Charles looked on wistfully, wiped his watery eyes, but did not get up because of his stiffness.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

So they sat down upon the bank and gazed wistfully at the Scarecrow until a Stork flew by, who, upon seeing them, stopped to rest at the water's edge.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

"I'm wishin' there was a priest," he said wistfully; then added swiftly, "But Michael Dennin's too old a campaigner to miss the luxuries when he hits the trail."

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

"You know I am a scoundrel, Jane?" ere long he inquired wistfully—wondering, I suppose, at my continued silence and tameness, the result rather of weakness than of will.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

But she leaned not imperatively, not seductively, but wistfully and humbly.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Even the old chief met us with the same obstinate denial, and it was only Maretas, the youngster whom we had saved, who looked wistfully at us and told us by his gestures that he was grieved for our thwarted wishes.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)