hopefully

adverb

hope·​ful·​ly ˈhōp-fə-lē 

1

: in a way that expresses desire with an expectation of fulfillment : in a hopeful manner

gazed up at us hopefully

2

: it is hoped : I hope : we hope

hopefully the rain will end soon

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

They gazed up at us hopefully.

Hopefully, things will get better soon.

Recent Examples on the Web

Later, in private, during a working lunch, Carney would work on setting an agenda to renegotiate the trade relationship and, hopefully, take steps toward reducing the number or rate of tariffs. —David Moscrop, Time, 8 May 2025

At its core, EA advocates that risk assessments and largescale societal planning is needed to ensure humanity survives in the extreme longterm, hopefully with the end goal of becoming an interstellar spacefaring civilization. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 7 May 2025

Mikko Rantanen hopefully taught Avalanche, Joe Sakic lesson: Don’t trade Stars for scrubs Keeler: Mikko Rantanen hopefully taught Avalanche, Joe Sakic lesson: Don't trade Stars for scrubs Do Kent Monkman’s over-the-top paintings belong in a museum? —Denver Post, 7 May 2025

Both Harrell and her daughter were fans of Taylor Swift and were planning to hopefully attend a concert together. —Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Video

Hopefully

We believe the popular usage of this word is correct

Kids Definition

hopefully

adverb

hope·​ful·​ly ˈhōp-fə-lē 

1

: in a hopeful manner

a dog looking hopefully for a tidbit

2

: I hope : we hope

hopefully it won't rain tomorrow