French word

éventuellement

Pronunciation

IPA/evɑ̃tɥɛləmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbmaybe

Example

Il viendra éventuellement demain.

Maybe he will come tomorrow.

Illustration for éventuellement (maybe)

More examples

Cet outil est éventuellement utile pour les débutants.

This tool may be useful for beginners.

Core concept

A future action remains open, depending on circumstances rather than being certain.

Common phrases

  • être éventuellement utile

    possibly be useful

  • éventuellement nécessaire

    possibly necessary

Similar words

peut-être: Presents something as possible in a gentle, noncommittal way.
probablement: Shows that something is considered likely to happen.
si besoin: Shows that an action is appropriate only when necessary.

Definition in French

Atténue une phrase et dont le sens peut varier selon la position dans la phrase, exprimant soit une condition soit une simple incertitude.

Word origin

Éventuellement derives from French éventuel plus -ment, with éventuel traced to Latin eventualis from eventus, meaning an outcome or event.

Usage tips

  • French éventuellement usually means "possibly" or "if necessary", not English "eventually", which generally corresponds to finalement or à terme.

Other meanings

  • as the case may beadverb
  • if necessaryadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word