Word
hopefully
Phoneticshope·ful·ly
US/ˈhoʊpfəɫi/
UK/hˈəʊpfəli/
Definitions
01it is hoped that
adv. you use this to say that you want something to happen or that you expect a good result.
adv. used as a disjunct or sentence adverb to indicate that the speaker or writer hopes the following statement is true.
“Hopefully, the weather will be sunny for our picnic this weekend.”
“Hopefully, the new policy will address the systemic issues that have plagued the department for the last decade.”
Usage
Usually placed at the beginning of a sentence to modify the entire clause.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02in a hopeful way
adv. doing something in a way that shows you are full of hope or optimism.
adv. in a manner expressing hope, optimism, or expectation. This is the traditional manner-adverb use of the word.
“The small puppy looked up hopefully at the man holding a treat.”
“The young entrepreneurs looked hopefully toward the panel of investors, waiting for a sign that their pitch had been successful.”
Usage
Typically follows the verb it modifies.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Hopefully you don’t remember the game, it was awful.” “I have only been in this game for five years, hopefully I've got another 10 in me," said 24-year-old Hodgkinson.” “You make mistakes, then correct them, and hopefully you arrive at something that works.” Etymology
From hopeful + -ly. The use as a sentence adverb first gained currency in the United States and has been explained as a possible calque of German hoffentlich.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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englishreference.com/q/hopefully