adjective
expectant
ihk-SPEHK-tuhnt
Expectant (adjective) means Filled with anticipation, waiting for something to happen. Example: “The expectant crowd fell silent as the curtain rose.”
adjective
1
Filled with anticipation, waiting for something to happen.
"The expectant crowd fell silent as the curtain rose."
2
Pregnant.
"The clinic offers classes for expectant mothers."
How to use expectant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEagerly waiting for something, or pregnant.
Common pairings
expectant mother
expectant father
expectant silence
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Word forms
- Plural
- expectants
- Comparative
- more expectant
- Superlative
- most expectant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ crowd fell silent as the curtain rose.
Etymology
From Old French expectant, from Latin expectans, "awaiting."
Related words
Rhymes for expectant
See all rhymes for expectant →Frequently asked questions
What does “expectant” mean?
The word “expectant” means filled with anticipation, waiting for something to happen. In plain terms, eagerly waiting for something, or pregnant.
How do you pronounce “expectant”?
“Expectant” is pronounced ihk-SPEHK-tuhnt (/ɪkˈspɛktənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “expectant” in a sentence?
Here is “expectant” used in a sentence: “The expectant crowd fell silent as the curtain rose.”
What part of speech is “expectant”?
“Expectant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “expectant” come from?
The word “expectant” comes from Latin. From Old French expectant, from Latin expectans, "awaiting.".
How many meanings does “expectant” have?
“Expectant” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: filled with anticipation, waiting for something to happen.
