hopefully
adverb
Can hopefully mean 'I hope'?: Usage Guide
In the 1960s the second sense of hopefully ("it is hoped"), which dates to the 17th century and has been in fairly widespread use since at least the 1930s, underwent a surge in popularity. A surge of criticism followed in reaction, despite the fact that this use is grammatically sound. Hopefully when used to mean "it is hoped" is a member of a class of adverbs and adverbial phrases known as disjuncts. Disjuncts provide a means for the author or speaker to comment directly to the reader or hearer usually on the content of the sentence to which they are attached. Many other adverbs (such as interestingly, frankly, clearly, luckily, and unfortunately) are similarly used; most are so ordinary as to excite no comment or interest whatsoever. The "it is hoped" sense of hopefully is entirely standard.
Examples of hopefully in a Sentence
Don Riddell, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025
This could be a long, painful process, though hopefully not as long as the still ongoing 26-year search to adequately replace Dan Marino.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Dec. 2025
While naysayers and doubters reveled in jeering at the genre’s valleys, an eclectic coalition of younger artists and listeners has ushered in what’s hopefully the first of many peaks to come for R&B, in the 2020s and beyond.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2025
Every jury comes in with its own mix of emotions, agendas, unfinished business, and hopefully a genuine desire to crown a good winner for their season.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopefully
Video
Hopefully
We believe the popular usage of this word is correct
Cite this Entry
“Hopefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hopefully. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hopefully
adverb
Share