# hopefully

Pronunciation: say "HOHP-fuh-lee" US /ˈhoʊp.fə.li/, UK /ˈhəʊp.fə.li/

## Adverb

1. It is hoped that; used to express the speaker's or writer's hope that something will happen or turn out to be the case.
   - Simple: Used to say that you hope something will happen.
   - _Hopefully, the new policy will reduce wait times at the clinic._
   - _The repairs should be finished by Friday, hopefully in time for the weekend crowds._
2. In a hopeful manner; with a look, tone, or attitude that expresses hope.
   - Simple: In a way that shows you feel hope about something.
   - _She glanced hopefully at the mailbox, watching for the acceptance letter._
   - _The candidates waited hopefully as the election results were read aloud._

## Origin

The suffix "-ly" was added to "hopeful" to make this word. Using it as a sentence adverb caught on first in the United States, and some explain that use as a possible calque of German "hoffentlich."

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/hopefully (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).