Meaning of Hopefully
In simple words: I hope that something will happen.
Hopefully in a sentence
- Hopefully, we'll arrive before dark.
- ‘Are you free tonight?’ she asked hopefully.
How to use Hopefully
Use 'hopefully' to express a positive expectation. It's common in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it in very formal writing, as it can seem too casual.
Grammar pattern
hopefully + subject + verb
Memory hint
Think of 'hope' at the beginning — you express your hope for something to happen.
Related words
Collocations with Hopefully
- hopefully soon
- hopefully tomorrow
- hopefully next week
Synonyms for Hopefully
- I hope
- it is to be hoped
- with any luck
Opposites of Hopefully
- unfortunately
- regrettably
- sadly
Common mistakes with Hopefully
- 'Hopefully' is often confused with 'hopeful' — remember they are different parts of speech.
- Some learners use 'hopefully' to mean 'with hope' or 'in a hopeful manner,' which can be incorrect.
- Using 'hopefully' at the start of a sentence can confuse the meaning.
Hopefully appears in
Hopefully in other languages
- Arabicالعربية
نأمل
آمل أن يحدث شيء ما.
- Bengaliবাংলা
আশা করি
আমি আশা করি যে কিছু ঘটবে।
- GermanDeutsch
Hoffentlich
Ich hoffe, dass etwas passiert.
- SpanishEspañol
Ojalá
Espero que algo pase.
- Persianفارسی
امیدوارانه
امیدوارم که اتفاقی بیفتد.
- FrenchFrançais
Avec un peu de chance
J'espère que quelque chose va arriver.
- Hindiहिन्दी
आशा है कि
मुझे उम्मीद है कि कुछ होगा।
- ItalianItaliano
Speriamo
Spero che succeda qualcosa.
- PortuguesePortuguês
Esperançosamente
Espero que algo aconteça.
- RussianРусский
Надеюсь
Я надеюсь, что что-то произойдет.
- Urduاردو
امید ہے
مجھے امید ہے کہ کچھ ہوگا۔
- Chinese中文
Hopefully
我希望某事会发生。
More words like Hopefully
- I hope
- With any luck
- AbolishC1
To formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution.
- AbortionC1
the deliberate ending of a pregnancy at an early stage
- AbsenceC1
the fact of somebody being away from a place where they are usually expected to be; the occasion or period of time when somebody is away
- AbsentC1
not in a place because of illness, etc.
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Frequently asked questions about Hopefully
What does Hopefully mean?
I hope that something will happen.
What is the definition of Hopefully?
used to express what you hope will happen
How do you use Hopefully in a sentence?
Hopefully, we'll arrive before dark.
Can you give another example of Hopefully?
‘Are you free tonight?’ she asked hopefully.
What are synonyms for Hopefully?
Common alternatives include I hope, it is to be hoped, with any luck.
What is the opposite of Hopefully?
Opposite meanings include unfortunately, regrettably, sadly.
What words go with Hopefully?
It commonly pairs with hopefully soon, hopefully tomorrow, hopefully next week.
What are common mistakes when using Hopefully?
'Hopefully' is often confused with 'hopeful' — remember they are different parts of speech. Some learners use 'hopefully' to mean 'with hope' or 'in a hopeful manner,' which can be incorrect. Using 'hopefully' at the start of a sentence can confuse the meaning.
How do you pronounce Hopefully?
US: /["/ˈhəʊpfəli/"]/, UK: /["/ˈhəʊpfəli/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.
When should I use Hopefully?
Use 'hopefully' to express a positive expectation. It's common in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it in very formal writing, as it can seem too casual.
What CEFR level is Hopefully?
"Hopefully" is at B2 level on the CEFR scale.






