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 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

They gazed up at us hopefully.

Hopefully, things will get better soon.

Recent Examples on the Web

Co-owner Cameron Yockey said this is their second market, with their first already open in Tarentum and another opening in Natrona, hopefully in 2026. —Christopher Derose, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025

The fossil will hopefully help scientists trace the development of modern-day arthropods, and reveal how their simpler ancestors developed the complex anatomies of the creatures that exist today. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025

Each item in this gift guide is under $50 (some are under $30, and some are even under $15), hopefully making budget-friendly shopping a little bit easier to navigate this season. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 5 Dec. 2025

Thornton was told by a Madison Equities manager that a contractor had been assigned the task of fixing the unit and hopefully relieving his office of sweltering heat. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 5 Dec. 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