HOPEFULLY Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com Featured Games Cultural Writing tips Dictionary.com Thesaurus.com American British Usage Etymology Examples Related Words Synonyms hopefully American   [hohp-fuh-lee] / ˈhoʊp fə li / adverb in a hopeful manner. We worked hopefully and energetically, thinking we might finish first. it is hoped; if all goes well. Hopefully, we will get to the show on time. hopefully British   / ˈhəʊpfʊlɪ / adverb in a hopeful manner informal it is hoped hopefully they will be here soon "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Usage Although some strongly object to its use as a sentence modifier, hopefully meaning “it is hoped (that)” has been in use since the 1930s and is fully standard in all varieties of speech and writing: Hopefully, tensions between the two nations will ease. This use of hopefully is parallel to that of certainly, curiously, frankly, regrettably, and other sentence modifiers. The use of hopefully to mean it is hoped used to be considered incorrect by some people but has now become acceptable in informal contexts Etymology Origin of hopefully First recorded in 1630–40; hopeful + -ly Example Sentences Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com. See Examples For: hopefully "This has been a model validation, and hopefully it's just the first of many more observations to come," he said. From Science Daily ● Jul. 21, 2026 So by coming to them with a plan of action, you are hopefully addressing some of their anxiety, and also communicating that you want to make their life easier. From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026 "We've been waiting a really long time for the MAX 10, and hopefully that wait is coming to an end," United Executive Vice President Andrew Nocella said on an earnings conference call. From Barron's ● Jul. 16, 2026 “All of those things are building awareness, credibility, trust that then give you the political capital when you have an idea, or when you’re fighting for something, to hopefully get it done,” Gerstner said. From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026 As I strap on my seat belt, I ask hopefully, “Can we go to Graeter’s? This is an important day. It deserves the best ice cream!” From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper Related Words confidently surely Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023 Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Word of the Day conspectus [kuhn-spek-tuhs] Get the Word of the Day Over 500,000 expert-authored dictionary and thesaurus entries Entry list Careers Contact us Help Cookies, terms & privacy IXL Learning's Dictionary Media Group reaches over 500,000,000 learners each year Essential reference for synonyms and antonyms Adaptive learning for English vocabulary Fun daily word games English dictionary and learning for Spanish speakers Spanish-English dictionary, translator, and learning French-English dictionary, translator, and learning Immersive learning for 25 languages Comprehensive K-12 personalized learning Marketplace for millions of educator-created resources 35,000+ worksheets, games, and lesson plans Fun educational games for kids Trusted tutors for 300+ subjects Math games and learning resources for kids © 2026 Dictionary Media Group, Inc., a division of IXL Learning by dictionary.com Dictionary.com's Learning Companion Go beyond just looking up words. Remember them forever with VocabTrainer. Start training