What does hopefully mean Meaning and Definition
What does hopefully mean
Pronunciation
/ˈhɒpflɪ/
Part of Speech
Adverb
Definition
Expressing a desire or wish for something to happen or be the case; indicating a sense of optimism or expectation for a favorable outcome.
Examples
- I will hopefully finish my project by the end of the week.
- Hopefully, the weather will be sunny for our picnic.
Synonyms
- Optimistically
- Positively
Antonyms
- Pessimistically
- Hopelessly
Additional Information
Hopefully is often used to express a positive expectation or desire for a particular outcome. It can also be used to soften a statement or to express politeness.
In modern English, hopefully is commonly used as a sentence adverb, which means it modifies the entire sentence rather than a specific verb or action.
However, some grammarians and style guides recommend avoiding the use of hopefully as a sentence adverb, as it can be seen as informal or even incorrect.
Etimology
The word hopefully comes from the Old English words “hōp” meaning hope and the suffix “-ful” meaning full of or characterized by. It has been in use since the 16th century.
Usage Notes
Hopefully can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it’s generally considered more formal to use it as an adverb to modify a verb, rather than as a sentence adverb.
For example: “I will hopefully finish my project” is more formal than “Hopefully, I will finish my project”.
Cultural References
Hopefully has been used in various songs, such as “Hopefully” by My Chemical Romance and “Hopefully” by Kim Petras.
In literature, hopefully has been used by authors such as J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter series and Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Hopefully so
- Hopefully not
Related Words or Phrases
- Optimistically speaking
- Positively thinking
Collocations
- Hopefully, it will work out
- I will hopefully see you soon
Frequency of Use
Hopefully is a commonly used word in modern English, and it’s often seen in both written and spoken language.
According to the Google Ngram Viewer, the use of hopefully has increased significantly since the 1960s.
Common Misspellings
- Hopefuly
- Hope fully