Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a hopeful manner: Doing something with a feeling or expression of hope.
   • It is to be hoped; I hope; we hope: Used to express a desire or expectation that something will happen or be the case.

Usage

• The first meaning ("in a hopeful manner") describes an action is performed.
• The second meaning ("it is to be hoped") is a sentence adverb. It modifies the entire sentence to express the speaker's attitude or wish about the statement that follows.

Examples

• Adverb (in a hopeful manner):
  • She looked at him hopefully, waiting for an answer.
  • The team played hopefully until the final whistle.
• Adverb (it is to be hoped):
  • Hopefully, the weather will be fine on Sunday.
  • Hopefully, we will arrive before dark.

Advanced Usage

• The use of "hopefully" as a sentence adverb (e.g., "Hopefully, it won't rain") is very common in modern English, though it was once considered informal by some. It is now widely accepted in standard usage.
• To avoid ambiguity, use context or rephrase if the meaning could be confused. For example, "She asked hopefully" clearly uses the first meaning, while "Hopefully, the package arrives tomorrow" uses the second.

Variants and Related Words

• Hopeful (adjective): Feeling or inspiring hope.
  • She was hopeful about her job interview.
• Hope (noun/verb): The feeling or the act of wanting something to happen.
  • (Noun) Don't lose hope.
  • (Verb) I hope you feel better soon.

Synonyms

• With hope; optimistically (for the first meaning).
  • He waited optimistically for the results.
• It is hoped; with luck; all being well (for the second meaning).
  • With luck, we'll finish on time.

Related Phrases

• To hope against hope: To hope even when the situation seems hopeless.
  • They hoped against hope that their missing dog would return.

Adverb

1. it is hoped
   • hopefully the weather will be fine on Sunday
2. with hope; in a hopeful manner
   • we searched hopefully for a good position