anticipation
an-tihs-ih-PAY-shuhn
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.”
noun
1
The feeling of excitement or nervousness while waiting for something to happen.
"The children could barely sleep with anticipation the night before the trip."
"There was a real sense of anticipation in the stadium before kickoff."
"She waited at the gate with nervous anticipation, clutching her envelope of exam results."
2
The act of expecting or preparing for something before it occurs.
"In anticipation of the storm, residents boarded up their windows."
"Shops stocked extra bread in anticipation of the long bank holiday weekend."
"Good planning means buying tickets early in anticipation of heavy demand."
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.
Common pairings
in anticipation of
wait with anticipation
build anticipation
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Word forms
- Plural
- anticipations
Fill the gap
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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 →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for anticipation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all 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.
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