adverb
hopefully
With hope, or used to express a desired outcome.
The children look hopefully at the cookies cooling on the counter.
Etymology
Hopeful means full of hope. With the adverb ending, it can describe a hopeful manner or express the speaker’s hope that the stated outcome will occur.
More examples
- Hopefully, the rain stops before our picnic begins.
- She asks hopefully if there is room for one more.
- The repairs should be finished by Friday, hopefully.
Forms
hopeful adjective — Feeling or showing hope for success.
hope noun — A wish for a favorable outcome.
Similar words
- optimistically
- Emphasizes expecting good results rather than simply wishing for them.
- wishfully
- Suggests desire with little confidence that it will come true.