hopefully
adverb
Can hopefully mean 'I hope'?: Usage Guide
In the 1960s the second sense of hopefully ("it is hoped"), which dates to the early 18th century and had been in fairly widespread use since at least the 1930s, underwent a surge in popularity. A surge of criticism followed in reaction, but the criticism took no account of the grammar of adverbs. Hopefully when used to mean "it is hoped" is a member of a class of adverbs known as disjuncts. Disjuncts serve as a means by which the author or speaker can 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, 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
Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
The song’s video seems to position it as one designed to showcase, or kick off, a dance craze — but the young singer’s vocals are just as enticing, hopefully heralding a new full project from him.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2025
Both cats were then brought back to the shelter where the duo are now on the search for another new home — hopefully still together.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2025
Spider-Man is back to save the day…and hopefully the box office.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2025
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Hopefully
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Cite this Entry
“Hopefully.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hopefully. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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hopefully
adverb
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