hopefully

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   it is hoped

   hopefully the weather will be fine on Sunday

2. 2
   adv

   In a hopeful manner.

   ‘In fifteen minutes I will be at the carpark, sitting hopefully inside a puce Reliant Scimitar.’

3. 3
   adv

   It is hoped that; I hope; we hope.

   Hopefully, my father will arrive in time for the show.

4. 4
   adv

   with hope

Etymology

From hopeful + -ly. The use as a sentence adverb first gained currency in the United States and has been explained as a possible calque of German hoffentlich.