thankfully
Britishadverb
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showing gratitude or appreciation
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informal fortunately
thankfully she was not injured
Usage
The use of thankfully to mean fortunately was formerly considered incorrect by many people, but has now become acceptable in informal contexts
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said, in May, "things thankfully started to improve a bit" and he was able to attend his graduation.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
"A few days ago, a bear was roaming here in the village’s central square at dusk. Another animal injured a fellow villager, thankfully only lightly. We’re now afraid to leave our homes," Despas said.
From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026
So, Artificial has thankfully found a new home, but this saga may just be the beginning.
From Slate ● Jul. 2, 2026
Although she was dressed in a ruffled, all-white dress, they thankfully did not get married on the spot.
From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026
My dad thankfully had the common sense to send me to the bank after I turned eighteen so I could get a debit card.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
