Definition

Adverb: 1. Used to express relief or gratitude for a positive circumstance: This sense introduces a statement about a fortunate situation, implying that one is grateful or relieved about it. 2. In a thankful manner; with thanks: This sense describes the way an action is performed, showing gratitude.

Usage Examples

• Expressing relief or gratitude for a circumstance:
  • Thankfully, the weather cleared up just in time for the picnic.
  • The package arrived, thankfully, before the deadline.
• Performing an action with gratitude:
  • She smiled thankfully when he offered his seat.
  • He nodded thankfully after receiving the help.

Advanced Usage

• Sentence-initial position: "Thankfully" is often used at the beginning of a sentence to comment on the entire following statement.
  • Thankfully, no one was injured in the accident.
• Mid-sentence as a parenthetical remark: It can be inserted into a sentence, usually set off by commas, to add a comment.
  • The lost keys were, thankfully, found in the coat pocket.

Variants and Related Words

• Thankful (adjective): Feeling or expressing gratitude.
  • I am thankful for your support.
• Thankfulness (noun): The state of being thankful.
  • Her thankfulness was evident in her letter.

Synonyms

• Fortunately: Used to indicate a lucky or positive outcome.
• Gratefully: In a thankful manner (for the second sense).

Notes on Different Meanings

The two main senses are distinct: 1. The first (expressing relief) is a sentence adverb that modifies the speaker's attitude toward the statement. 2. The second (with thanks) is a manner adverb that modifies a specific verb, describing how an action is done.

Adverb

1. let us be thankful that
   • thankfully he didn't come to the party
2. in a thankful manner; with thanks
   • he accepted thankfully my apologies