expect
ihk-SPEHKT
Expect (verb) means to believe that something will happen. Example: “Take an umbrella, because I expect it will rain later.”
verb
1
To believe that something will happen.
"Take an umbrella, because I expect it will rain later."
"We expect the results to arrive by Friday."
"I didn't expect to see you here."
2
To regard something as required or owed.
"The hotel expects guests to leave their rooms by eleven."
"Parents expect schools to keep their children safe."
"Employers expect punctuality from their staff."
3
To be pregnant.
"My sister is expecting twins, and the whole family is thrilled."
"They are expecting a baby in the spring."
"She's expecting her first child in the autumn."
How to use expect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo believe something will happen, or to be pregnant.
Common pairings
expect the worst
expect a delay
be expecting
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- expects
- Past tense
- expected
- Archaic forms
- expectest, expectedst, expecteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Take an umbrella, because I _____ it will rain later.
Etymology
From Latin exspectare, "to look out for, await," from ex- ("out") plus spectare ("to look at").
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “expect” mean?
The word “expect” means to believe that something will happen. In plain terms, to believe something will happen, or to be pregnant.
How do you pronounce “expect”?
“Expect” is pronounced ihk-SPEHKT (/ɪkˈspɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “expect” in a sentence?
Here is “expect” used in a sentence: “We expect the results to arrive by Friday.”
What part of speech is “expect”?
“Expect” is a verb.
Where does the word “expect” come from?
The word “expect” comes from Latin. From Latin exspectare, "to look out for, await," from ex- ("out") plus spectare ("to look at").
Is “expect” a common word?
“Expect” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “expect” have?
“Expect” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to believe that something will happen.
What is the difference between expect and anticipate?
To expect something is simply to believe it will happen. To anticipate is to expect it and also prepare for or act ahead of it. You might expect rain, but you anticipate it by carrying an umbrella. Anticipate carries a stronger sense of looking forward and getting ready.
What is the difference between expect and except?
Though they sound similar, the words are unrelated. 'Expect' is a verb meaning to believe something will happen, as in 'I expect a reply'. 'Except' means excluding or leaving out, as in 'everyone except me'. The spellings differ by one letter, so it helps to read carefully.
What does it mean to be 'expecting'?
In general use, 'expecting' means waiting for or anticipating something, as in 'we are expecting guests'. Used on its own about a person, especially 'she is expecting', it is a gentle way of saying she is pregnant. Context makes clear which meaning applies.
What is an example of expect in a sentence?
You might say 'I expect the parcel to arrive tomorrow', meaning you believe it will. Other examples include 'They expect prices to rise' and 'Don't expect too much from the first attempt'. In each case, expect signals a belief about something likely to happen in the future.
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