hopefully
English meaning: Hopefully
Definition
In a hopeful manner.
Example
“Hopefully the weather will improve in time for the wedding.”
Another example: “The dog gazed up hopefully at the table, waiting for scraps.”
Usage — When, Where & How
An adverb used in two ways: traditionally 'in a hopeful manner' ('she waited hopefully'), and very commonly as a sentence adverb meaning 'it is hoped that' ('Hopefully it won't rain'). The second use is widespread but disliked by some purists in formal writing.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From 'hopeful' plus '-ly', from Old English 'hopian' (to hope); the sentence-adverb sense became common in the 20th century.
Synonyms
- expectantly
- optimistically
- with luck
- all being well
Antonyms / Opposites
- hopelessly
- despairingly
Related Words
Common Collocations
- wait hopefully
- look hopefully
- hopefully soon
- hopefully not
- smile hopefully
- hopefully this time
Word Forms
hope (v & n); hopeful (adj); hopefully (adv)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B