Ask Difference

Hope vs. Optimism — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 14, 2023
Hope is a desire for positive outcomes, while optimism is the general belief or expectation that good things will happen.
Hope vs. Optimism — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Hope and Optimism

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Key Differences

Hope and Optimism are both positive emotional states, yet they have distinct nuances. Hope typically involves an aspiration or desire for something specific to happen in the future. It's deeply personal and can be focused on a particular event or outcome. Optimism, in contrast, is a broader mindset or attitude, reflecting a belief that, on the whole, things will turn out for the best regardless of specific circumstances.
While hope can be fleeting or attached to a particular goal, such as hoping for good weather on a planned outing, optimism is a more enduring trait. Someone with an optimistic disposition tends to maintain a positive outlook on life in general, irrespective of immediate situations. Hope, being more situational, can wax and wane based on current events or conditions.
It's essential to note that hope often requires courage. It involves holding onto positive expectations even when faced with challenges or adverse situations. Optimism, on the other hand, is like a foundational belief system, a general perspective that good will prevail. This doesn't mean optimistic individuals don't face doubts or fears, but they generally believe positive outcomes are more likely.
Furthermore, hope can be seen as a catalyst, a driving force that motivates individuals to act. It often propels people to strive for their goals, believing that they can achieve them. Optimism, while motivating in its own right, is more of a passive belief in overall positive outcomes, rather than an active pursuit of a specific goal.

Comparison Chart

Definition

Desire for a specific positive outcome.
General belief that good things will happen.
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Duration

Can be fleeting, tied to situations.
More enduring, a trait or disposition.

Action Orientation

Often motivates specific actions towards a goal.
A passive belief, though can inspire action.

Presence in Adversity

Requires courage, remains in challenging times.
A foundational belief, remains despite circumstances.

Scope

Focused on specific events or outcomes.
Broader, relates to overall life situations.

Compare with Definitions

Hope

A desire for a favorable result.
She held onto the hope of winning the competition.

Optimism

Belief in positive outcomes.
His optimism was infectious, lifting everyone's spirits.

Hope

Confidence in future success.
His hard work gave him hope for a promotion.

Optimism

A disposition to expect the best.
Even in tough times, her optimism never wavered.

Hope

Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: "expect with confidence" and "to cherish a desire with anticipation."Among its opposites are dejection, hopelessness, and despair.

Optimism

Confidence in future success.
His optimism about the project's outcome inspired the team.

Hope

To wish for a particular event that one considers possible
We are hoping for more financial support.

Optimism

A doctrine that good ultimately prevails.
Philosophers often debate the merits of optimism.

Hope

(Archaic) To have confidence; trust.

Optimism

Tendency to see the bright side.
Her optimism always found a silver lining in every situation.

Hope

To desire and consider possible
I hope that you will join us for dinner. We hope to buy a house in the spring.

Optimism

Optimism is an attitude reflecting a belief or hope that the outcome of some specific endeavor, or outcomes in general, will be positive, favorable, and desirable. A common idiom used to illustrate optimism versus pessimism is a glass filled with water to the halfway point: an optimist is said to see the glass as half full, while a pessimist sees the glass as half empty.

Hope

The longing or desire for something accompanied by the belief in the possibility of its occurrence
He took singing lessons in the hope of performing in the musical.

Optimism

A tendency to expect the best possible outcome or dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation.

Hope

An instance of such longing or desire
Her hopes of becoming a doctor have not changed.

Optimism

The doctrine, asserted by Leibniz, that this world is the best of all possible worlds.

Hope

A source of or reason for such longing or desire
Good pitching is the team's only hope for victory.

Optimism

The belief that the universe is improving and that good will ultimately triumph over evil.

Hope

Often Hope(Christianity) The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.

Optimism

A tendency to expect the best, or at least, a favourable outcome
I love her youth, her beauty and above all her optimism that everything will turn out fine.

Hope

(Archaic) Trust; confidence.

Optimism

The doctrine that this world is the best of all possible worlds

Hope

To want something to happen, with a sense of expectation that it might.
I hope everyone enjoyed the meal.
I am still hoping that all will turn out well.

Optimism

The belief that good will eventually triumph over evil

Hope

To be optimistic; be full of hope; have hopes.

Optimism

The opinion or doctrine that everything in nature, being the work of God, is ordered for the best, or that the ordering of things in the universe is such as to produce the highest good.

Hope

(intransitive) To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; usually followed by in.

Optimism

A habitual tendency or a present disposition to take the most hopeful view of future events, and to expect a favorable outcome even when unfavorable outcomes are possible; - opposed to pessimism.

Hope

To wish.

Optimism

The optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well

Hope

The feeling of trust, confidence, belief or expectation that something wished for can or will happen.
I still have some hope that I can get to work on time.
After losing my job, there's no hope of being able to afford my world cruise.
There is still hope that we can find our missing cat.

Optimism

A general disposition to expect the best in all things

Hope

(countable) The actual thing wished for.

Hope

(countable) A person or thing that is a source of hope.
We still have one hope left: my roommate might see the note I left on the table.

Hope

The virtuous desire for future good.

Hope

A hollow; a valley, especially the upper end of a narrow mountain valley when it is nearly encircled by smooth, green slopes; a combe.

Hope

A sloping plain between mountain ridges.

Hope

(Scotland) A small bay; an inlet; a haven.

Hope

A sloping plain between mountain ridges.

Hope

A small bay; an inlet; a haven.

Hope

A desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something which is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.
The hypocrite's hope shall perish.
He wished, but not with hope.
New thoughts of God, new hopes of Heaven.

Hope

One who, or that which, gives hope, furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good.
The Lord will be the hope of his people.
A young gentleman of great hopes, whose love of learning was highly commendable.

Hope

That which is hoped for; an object of hope.
Lavina is thine elder brother's hope.

Hope

To entertain or indulge hope; to cherish a desire of good, or of something welcome, with expectation of obtaining it or belief that it is obtainable; to expect; - usually followed by for.
But I will hope continually.

Hope

To place confidence; to trust with confident expectation of good; - usually followed by in.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God.

Hope

To desire with expectation or with belief in the possibility or prospect of obtaining; to look forward to as a thing desirable, with the expectation of obtaining it; to cherish hopes of.
We hope no other from your majesty.
[Charity] hopeth all things.

Hope

To expect; to fear.

Hope

A specific instance of feeling hopeful;
It revived their hope of winning the pennant

Hope

The general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled;
In spite of his troubles he never gave up hope

Hope

Grounds for feeling hopeful about the future;
There is little or no promise that he will recover

Hope

Someone (or something) on which expectations are centered;
He was their best hope for a victory

Hope

United States comedian (born in England) who appeared in films with Bing Crosby (born in 1903)

Hope

One of the three Christian virtues

Hope

Expect and wish;
I trust you will behave better from now on
I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise

Hope

Be optimistic; be full of hope; have hopes;
I am still hoping that all will turn out well

Hope

Intend with some possibility of fulfilment;
I hope to have finished this work by tomorrow evening

Hope

Expectation of positive outcomes.
There's hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

Hope

A feeling of trust.
I have hope in humanity's kindness.

Hope

A source of comfort in distress.
Her supportive words were a beacon of hope.

Common Curiosities

Can optimism exist without specific hopes?

Yes, optimism is a general belief in positive outcomes, not tied to specific events or goals.

How can hope be maintained in tough times?

Hope can be nurtured by focusing on potential positive outcomes, seeking support, and holding onto past successes.

How can hope inspire action?

Hope, being tied to specific desires, can motivate individuals to work towards achieving those outcomes.

Does optimism guarantee success?

No, optimism is a mindset, not a guarantee. It can, however, improve resilience and perseverance.

Can someone have hope but not be optimistic?

Yes, someone can hope for a specific outcome while still being generally pessimistic about overall outcomes.

Is optimism always realistic?

Not necessarily. Some people have unrealistic optimism, believing in positive outcomes despite evidence to the contrary.

How can someone cultivate optimism?

Focusing on positive experiences, practicing gratitude, and surrounding oneself with positive influences can foster optimism.

Are children naturally optimistic?

Many children tend to be optimistic, but individual dispositions and experiences can vary.

Can hope be dangerous?

If hope leads to unrealistic expectations or prevents someone from seeing reality, it can be counterproductive.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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