verb B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

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

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."

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."

How to Use Anticipate

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

anticipated past tense, anticipates singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “anticipate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

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").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for anticipate

ate date rate mate fate gate hate pate late Nate Kate cate

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.