Dictionary

wishful thinking en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, uncountable, usually) The formation of beliefs based on an outcome that aligns with one's desires or hopes, while disregarding evidence, rationality, or reality.
   • Although no word has ever really emerged of what the Queen has really thought of her prime ministers, there has always been a sense that she did not get on terribly well with Thatcher. Some of this is doubtless wishful thinking, but there were sufficient straws in the wind to give it some credence, such as the story that the prime minister asked what the sovereign intended to wear to an event so as to avoid a clash, only to be told frostily that Her Majesty did not pay any attention to what other people wore. 2022 September 8, Stephen Bates, “Queen Elizabeth II obituary”, in The Guardian:
   • When you first come out, you might have an overactive gaydar. When I realized I was gay, I wanted everyone to be gay too, which led to a lot of wishful thinking. "Helen Hunt is gay!" Dream on, girl! 1996, Judy Carter, The Homo Handbook:
2. (idiomatic, uncountable, usually) Decision making based on self-delusion.

Forms

Relateds

wishful thought · wishcasting · wishful thinker · wishful hoping · hopium

Translations (49)

nb ønsketenkning (illusion that what one would like is true) · ru приня́тие жела́емого за действи́тельное (illusion that what one would like is true) · is óskhyggja (illusion that what one would like is true) · cs zbožné přání (illusion that what one would like is true) · pt wishful thinking (illusion that what one would like is true) · lv vēlmju domāšana (illusion that what one would like is true) · nl wensdenken (illusion that what one would like is true) · it pio desiderio (illusion that what one would like is true) · sv önsketänkande (illusion that what one would like is true) · cmn 痴想 (illusion that what one would like is true) · hu vágyteljesítő/vágyvezérelt/vágyelvű gondolkodás (illusion that what one would like is true) · ja 皮算用 (illusion that what one would like is true) · et soovmõtlemine (illusion that what one would like is true) · sh samozavaravanje (illusion that what one would like is true) · es ilusión (illusion that what one would like is true) · ja 甘い考え (illusion that what one would like is true) · pl myślenie życzeniowe (illusion that what one would like is true) · pl chciejstwo (illusion that what one would like is true) · he תקוות שווא (illusion that what one would like is true) · ja 希望的観測 (illusion that what one would like is true) · de Wunschdenken (illusion that what one would like is true) · pt pensamento desejoso (illusion that what one would like is true) · es mucho optimismo (illusion that what one would like is true) · cmn 妄想 (illusion that what one would like is true) · es deseo ilusorio (illusion that what one would like is true) · es demasiado optimismo (illusion that what one would like is true) · it pia illusione (illusion that what one would like is true) · he משאלת לב (illusion that what one would like is true) · es voluntarismo (illusion that what one would like is true) · cmn 如意算盤 /如意算盘 (illusion that what one would like is true) · la pium desiderium (illusion that what one would like is true) · ar تَفْكِير رَغْبَوِيّ (illusion that what one would like is true) · ca pensament il·lusori (illusion that what one would like is true) · da ønsketænkning (illusion that what one would like is true) · cmn 痴心妄想 (illusion that what one would like is true) · tr hüsnükuruntu (illusion that what one would like is true) · cy gobaith ofer (illusion that what one would like is true) · el ευσεβείς πόθοι (illusion that what one would like is true) · cmn 一廂情願 /一厢情愿 (illusion that what one would like is true) · ca pensament desideratiu (illusion that what one would like is true) · es espejismo (illusion that what one would like is true) · fo ynskishugsan (illusion that what one would like is true) · es ilusiones (illusion that what one would like is true) · fi toiveajattelu (illusion that what one would like is true) · pl pobożne życzenia (illusion that what one would like is true) · it mero desiderio (illusion that what one would like is true) · es el cuento de la lechera (illusion that what one would like is true) · es pensamiento deseoso (illusion that what one would like is true) · fr vœu pieux (illusion that what one would like is true)