ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Expect

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ɪkˈspɛkt/ · Part of speech verb

Quick meaning: Expect is a verb meaning (ambitransitive) To predict or believe that something will happen.

Meaning

(ambitransitive) To predict or believe that something will happen.

More Meanings

  1. To consider obligatory or required.
  2. To consider reasonably due.
  3. (continuous aspect only, of a woman or couple) To be pregnant, to consider a baby due.
  4. (obsolete, transitive) To wait for; to await.
  5. (obsolete, intransitive) To wait; to stay.

Example Sentences

when you least expect it
And temperatures are expected to keep rising.
England expects that every man will do his duty.
The hostage is expected to be released later today.

Word Forms

Synonyms for expect

Depending on context, synonyms include anticipate, hope, demand, want, wish, await.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include anticipate, require, ask, look, await, wait.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.