The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Hopeful \Hope"ful\, a.
   1. Full of hope, or agreeable expectation; inclined to hope;
      expectant.
      [1913 Webster]

            Men of their own natural inclination hopeful and
            strongly conceited.                   --Hooker.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Having qualities which excite hope; affording promise of
      good or of success; as, a hopeful youth; a hopeful
      prospect. "Hopeful scholars." --Addison. -- Hope"ful*ly,
      adv. -- Hope"ful*ness, n.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

hopefulness
    n 1: full of hope
    2: the feeling you have when you have hope [ant: hopelessness]