wistful
/ˈwɪstfʊl/adjective
Filled with a quiet, slightly sad longing for something.
Example sentences
- “He grew wistful when the old song came on the radio.”
- “She gave a wistful smile as she looked through her old school photos.”
Softer than sad: wistfulness mixes longing with a certain pleasure in remembering. Typically describes looks, smiles, and sighs.