DictionaryAI

hopefully

adverb
SayHOHP-fuh-leeUS/ˈhoʊp.fə.li/UK/ˈhəʊp.fə.li/

2 meanings of hopefully

Practice

  1. 1
    I hopeadverb
    Used to say that you hope something will happen.

    Hopefully the rain will stop before the game starts.

    We'll be there by noon, hopefully.

    UsageAt the start, in the middle (We'll hopefully win) or at the end. In looked hopefully it means full of hope.

    Note
  2. 2
    with hopeadverb
    In a way that shows you feel hope about something.

    The dog looked up hopefully when she opened the fridge.

    He smiled hopefully as he handed his drawing to the teacher.

    UsagePut it right after the verb: looked hopefully at the door.

    Similarexpectantly, optimistically, eagerly

    Oppositedespairingly, hopelessly, pessimistically, despondently

    Note

Use it in a sentence

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Origin

From "hopeful" plus "-ly." Using it to mean "I hope" first became common in the United States, possibly copying the German word "hoffentlich."

Checked 7 Nov 2026 · 2 facts