How to pronounce hopefully
Say it like HOHP-fuh-lee. Hopefully has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHP).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hopefully. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HOHP
- fuh
- lee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hopefully pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HOHPSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- fuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- leeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of hopefully
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: HOHP-fuh-lee.
What does hopefully mean?
- with hope; in a hopeful manner“we searched hopefully for a good position”
- it is hoped“hopefully the weather will be fine on Sunday”
Where does hopefully come from?
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.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying hopefully
How do you pronounce hopefully?
Say HOHP-fuh-lee. The American pronunciation is /ˈhoʊpfəli/. In British English it is /ˈhəʊpfəli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hopefully?
Hopefully has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (HOHP). Broken into parts: HOHP · fuh · lee.
Is hopefully pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈhəʊpfəli/ (HOHP-fuh-lee).