Skip to main content
beacon of hope

beacon of hope

7 3.7
A person, place, or idea that gives people hope during hard times
  • noun
  • /ˈbiːkən əv hoʊp/
translation icon : faro de esperanza
  • You are a beacon of hope in a weary world, and you gladden my heart.

And you're a rare beacon of hope in that sense that there's some value in long form.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Our development will not only serve as a safe haven, but it will be a beacon of hope to the children of this community.

  • In a world sadly lacking of leadership, Carpathia stands out as a beacon of hope for the lost.

  • And it just made sense that I went through everything that I went through and maybe to, to be a beacon of hope for others.

  • Remember that you are a beacon of hope for so many people!

    Blog text (10)
  • In this dark hour, that is a beacon of hope.

    Blog text (34)
  • We, the United States, are the last beacon of hope for freedom of expression.

  • And I hope that for them, this is a beacon of hope that says, hey, I'm not perfect either.

  • The days of glory, when the US was a shining beacon of hope, are behind us.

    Blog text (16)
  • And if I can be a beacon of hope and light in this world, in my city, that's what I want to be now.

  • Ali was a beacon of hope for oppressed people all over the world.

Synonyms

ray of light
vsbeacon of hope
  • Informal
1 3.4

Something or someone that brings hope during a difficult time

is a wider symbol of inspiration beyond one single situation
fanal
vsbeacon of hope
  • Archaic
9.9

A person or thing that gives people hope and shows a way in hard times

is a general symbol of optimism and support in difficult periods
light on the hill
vsbeacon of hope
  • Australian
8.7

A person or group that gives hope and shows people how to behave

is a broader source of optimism rather than a moral ideal for others
son of the morning
vsbeacon of hope
  • Literature
9.7

A person who brings hope and a feeling of a better future

is a practical symbol of hope in hard times rather than poetic image

Antonyms

210 3.5

A complete loss of hope

28 4.6

A way of thinking that expects bad things to happen

How Inspiring

inspiration
271 3.5
beacon of hope
7 3.7
dying gasp of hope
  • Informal
8.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

beacon + of + hope

The meaning is directly inferable from the constituents: a 'beacon' (a guiding/lighting signal) combined with 'hope' clearly yields a source or symbol that guides people toward optimism. This light/metaphor-for-guidance image is common across languages and uses transparent compositional logic, so a B1 learner who knows the words would readily understand it.

Etymology

The expression beacon of hope comes from the image of a bright light, like a lighthouse or a fire on a hill, that guides people through dark or dangerous times. So calling someone a beacon of hope means they act like that light, giving people 'hope' and direction when things are hard.