Hopeless Definition & Meaning

hopeless
adjective
  1. without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success; "in an agony of hopeless grief"; "with a hopeless sigh he sat down"
  2. of a person unable to do something skillfully; "I'm hopeless at mathematics"
  3. certain to fail; "the situation is hopeless"
  4. (informal to emphasize how bad it is) beyond hope of management or reform; "she handed me a hopeless jumble of papers"; "he is a hopeless romantic"

"Hopeless" in song lyrics

See how hopeless is used in real songs:

  • "Rock bottom to the lowest, I'm feeling hopeless"
    Abstract Rude w/ Moka Only and Prevail — She's Always Right
  • "When I look at these lives, and it looks like everything might be hopeless"
    Antonious — You Don't Have to Cry
  • "Just notice that I know how it feels to be hopeless"
    Arsonists — Alive

Usage tips for "hopeless"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "hopeless" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for hopeless to find words that pair well.

Look up another word