hopefully
adverb
Can hopefully mean 'I hope'?: Usage Guide
In the 1960s the second sense of hopefully ("it is hoped"), which dates to the early 18th century and had been in fairly widespread use since at least the 1930s, underwent a surge in popularity. A surge of criticism followed in reaction, but the criticism took no account of the grammar of adverbs. Hopefully when used to mean "it is hoped" is a member of a class of adverbs known as disjuncts. Disjuncts serve as a means by which the author or speaker can 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, 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
Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Other than solopreneurs, those rare professionals who truly go at it alone, companies are composed of layers of leadership, departments and individuals who bring their best skills and attributes to (hopefully) propel the company forward and produce revenue.
—John Gallucci Jr, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
To come back and hopefully help this team win some games, get to come back, first game at home, that’s always a big deal to me.
—Doug Padilla, Oc Register, 9 Sep. 2025
The Gilded Age fans in New York can cast their vote on November 4 — and will hopefully get a new season of the hit show not too long after.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2025
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Hopefully
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Cite this Entry
“Hopefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hopefully. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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hopefully
adverb
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