Definition of hopelessness

The word "hopelessness" has its roots in Old English. The adjective "hopeles" emerged in the 9th century, derived from the phrase "hope-less," which combined "hope" (meaning a feeling of expectation and desire) with the suffix "-less," indicating the lack or absence of something. In Middle English (circa 1100-1500), the word evolved into "hopelesse" and acquired its current meaning of irretrievable failure or despair. The noun "hopelessness" emerged in the 15th century, originally as "hopelesness," and referred to a state or feeling of being without hope or expectation. Over time, the spelling condensed to "hopelessness." The word has been used in various contexts, including literature, philosophy, and psychology, to describe a range of emotions and experiences, from despair and despondency to resignation and futility.