anticipate
an-TIHS-ih-payt
Anticipate (verb) means to expect something and prepare for it in advance. Example: “The team anticipated tough questions and rehearsed their answers.”
verb
1
To expect something and prepare for it in advance.
"The team anticipated tough questions and rehearsed their answers."
"We anticipate a busy weekend, so extra staff have been scheduled."
"Farmers anticipate heavy rain tonight, so they have moved the animals into the barn."
2
To act ahead of someone or something, often to head off a problem before it happens.
"A skilled goalkeeper anticipates the shot before the striker even kicks the ball."
"The chess player anticipated her opponent's attack and moved her queen out of danger."
"A good manager anticipates problems and fixes them before customers ever notice."
How to use anticipate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo expect something in advance and get ready for it.
Common mistake
Some people use "anticipate" to simply mean "expect," but its stronger sense implies preparing for or acting ahead of the thing expected.
Common pairings
anticipate a problem
anticipate demand
widely anticipated
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- anticipates
- Past tense
- anticipated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The team _____ tough questions and rehearsed their answers.
Etymology
From Latin anticipare, "to take beforehand," from ante- ("before") and capere ("to take").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for anticipate
See all rhymes for anticipate →Frequently asked questions
What does “anticipate” mean?
The word “anticipate” means to expect something and prepare for it in advance. In plain terms, to expect something in advance and get ready for it.
How do you pronounce “anticipate”?
“Anticipate” is pronounced an-TIHS-ih-payt (/ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “anticipate” in a sentence?
Here is “anticipate” used in a sentence: “The team anticipated tough questions and rehearsed their answers.”
What part of speech is “anticipate”?
“Anticipate” is a verb.
Where does the word “anticipate” come from?
The word “anticipate” comes from Latin. From Latin anticipare, "to take beforehand," from ante- ("before") and capere ("to take").
Is “anticipate” a common word?
“Anticipate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “anticipate” have?
“Anticipate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to expect something and prepare for it in advance.
What is the difference between "anticipate" and "expect"?
"Expect" simply means to believe something will happen, while "anticipate" implies expecting something and preparing for it in advance. Anticipating an event usually involves taking action ahead of time, not just predicting it.
Is it correct to use "anticipate" to mean simply "expect"?
Although some style guides prefer reserving "anticipate" for situations involving advance preparation, it is widely accepted in everyday English as a synonym for "expect." Careful writers sometimes still choose "expect" when no preparation is implied.
What does it mean to "anticipate" a competitor's move?
In this sense, "anticipate" means to act ahead of someone or something, often to head off a problem before it happens, such as a business anticipating a rival's price cut and adjusting its own prices first. This usage emphasizes strategic foresight.
