Wistful – Sad because you want something you can't have

(Pronounced wist-fuhl)

To remember the definition of the word wistful, use the following mnemonic:

Whist against someone who is wonderful (wistful) at the game makes me sad because I know I can't be as good. 

Examples of wistful in a sentence

She had a wistful look in her eyes as she stared at the diamond bracelet, knowing she could never afford it. 

His new song was a wistful homage to his childhood pet. 

The old woman had a wistful expression as she thought about all the places she wished she'd visited in her youth.