anticipation
Anticipation (noun) means the feeling of excitement or nervousness while waiting for something to happen. Example: “The children could barely sleep with anticipation the night before the trip.”
How to use anticipation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe eager or nervous feeling of waiting for something, or the act of preparing ahead of time.
Word forms
anticipations plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children could barely sleep with _____ the night before the trip.
Etymology
From Latin anticipatio, built on the same root as anticipate.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for anticipation
Frequently asked questions
What does “anticipation” mean?
The word “anticipation” means the feeling of excitement or nervousness while waiting for something to happen. In plain terms, the eager or nervous feeling of waiting for something, or the act of preparing ahead of time.
How do you pronounce “anticipation”?
“Anticipation” is pronounced an-tihs-ih-PAY-shuhn (/ænˌtɪs.əˈpeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “anticipation” in a sentence?
Here is “anticipation” used in a sentence: “The children could barely sleep with anticipation the night before the trip.”
What is another word for “anticipation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “anticipation” include expectingness.
What part of speech is “anticipation”?
“Anticipation” is a noun.
Where does the word “anticipation” come from?
The word “anticipation” comes from Latin. From Latin anticipatio, built on the same root as anticipate.
Is “anticipation” a common word?
“Anticipation” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “anticipation” have?
“Anticipation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the feeling of excitement or nervousness while waiting for something to happen.
What is the difference between "anticipation" and "excitement"?
"Anticipation" specifically describes the feeling of excitement or nervousness while waiting for something to happen, whereas "excitement" is a broader term for heightened emotion that doesn't require waiting for a future event. Anticipation is forward-looking by definition.
What is the difference between "anticipation" and "expectation"?
"Expectation" refers to believing something will happen, while "anticipation" adds an emotional dimension, the excitement or nervousness of waiting for it. You can expect rain without feeling anticipation, but anticipation always carries some emotional charge.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include anticipation: