WordGarden.iohopefully
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈəʊpfəli/
US
- /ˈhoʊpfəli/
Meanings
Adverb
used to say that you hope something will happen or be true
in a way that shows hope
Beyond the definition
"Hopefully" has two main uses. Most often, it means you want something good to happen or think it may happen: "Hopefully, the rain will stop soon." In that kind of sentence, it is close to saying "I hope."
It can also describe the way someone does something, meaning "in a hopeful way." For example, "She looked hopefully at the door" means she looked at it with hope. This second use is older, but both uses are correct and common in modern English.
"Hopefully" is an adverb with two closely related uses. The most common use is at the start of a sentence, or near the start, to show that the speaker wants something to happen and thinks there is a good chance it will. If you say, "Hopefully, the package will arrive tomorrow," you mean "I hope the package will arrive tomorrow." This use is very common in everyday English and sounds natural in speech and in most writing.
The other use describes how a person does something. In this sense, it means "in a hopeful way." For example, "The boy waited hopefully by the window" shows that he was full of hope while he waited. This meaning is still correct and easy to understand, though it is less common than the sentence-opening use.
Some people used to object to the sentence-opening use, but it is now widely accepted in modern English. Even so, in very formal writing, some writers choose "I hope," "we hope," or another clearer phrase instead. In normal conversation and standard writing, though, "hopefully" is a simple and useful way to express hope, expectation, and a positive feeling about what may happen next.
Examples
- 1
Waiting dog
The dog sat by the table hopefully, waiting for a piece of chicken.
- 2
Hopeful question
"Can I come too?" Mia asked hopefully.
- 3
Sentence opener
Hopefully, we'll get there before dark.
- PatternHopefully, + clause
I hope that it happens or is true
- 4
Mid-sentence comment
The repairs should, hopefully, be finished this week.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Short reply
"Will it be expensive?" "Hopefully not."
- PhraseHopefully not.
I hope not.
- 6
Reassurance
He's nervous about the interview, but hopefully it will go well.
See also
Similar
- with luck
- ideally
- one hopes
Shades of meaning
- optimistically
- fingers crossed
Contrast
- unfortunately
- pessimistically
Used with (collocations)
- hopefully, ...
- hopefully soon
- hopefully by Friday
- hopefully not
Word family
Explore
- sentence adverb
- wish
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- hopefullyadverb