expectation
ehk-spehk-TAY-shuhn
Expectation (noun) means a strong belief that something will happen or turn out a certain way. Example: “We set off with the expectation that the weather would stay dry all day.”
noun
1
A strong belief that something will happen or turn out a certain way.
"We set off with the expectation that the weather would stay dry all day."
"Her expectation of a quick reply turned out to be wrong."
"There is a general expectation that prices will rise next year."
2
A standard or requirement that someone is supposed to meet.
"Parents have high expectations of the teachers at this school."
"Be clear about your expectations before you start working with a new team."
"The new hire struggled to meet the company's expectations."
How to use expectation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhat you believe will happen, or what you feel someone or something is supposed to deliver.
Common pairings
meet expectations
exceed expectations
live up to expectations
fall short of expectations
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Word forms
- Plural
- expectations
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We set off with the _____ that the weather would stay dry all day.
Etymology
From Latin exspectatio, built on exspectare, "to expect."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for expectation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for expectation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “expectation” mean?
The word “expectation” means a strong belief that something will happen or turn out a certain way. In plain terms, what you believe will happen, or what you feel someone or something is supposed to deliver.
How do you pronounce “expectation”?
“Expectation” is pronounced ehk-spehk-TAY-shuhn (/ˌɛk.spɛkˈteɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “expectation” in a sentence?
Here is “expectation” used in a sentence: “There is a general expectation that prices will rise next year.”
What part of speech is “expectation”?
“Expectation” is a noun.
Where does the word “expectation” come from?
The word “expectation” comes from Latin. From Latin exspectatio, built on exspectare, "to expect.".
Is “expectation” a common word?
“Expectation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “expectation” have?
“Expectation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong belief that something will happen or turn out a certain way.
What is the difference between expectation and anticipation?
Expectation is a strong belief that something will happen or turn out a certain way, focused on the outcome you predict. Anticipation emphasizes the feeling of looking forward to that outcome, so you can have an expectation without excitement, while anticipation usually carries eager waiting.
What is the difference between expectation and hope?
An expectation is a strong belief that something will actually happen, whereas hope is a desire for something without the same confidence it will occur. You can hope for an outcome you don't genuinely expect, but you cannot truly expect something you think is impossible.
What prepositions are used with expectation?
Expectation most often pairs with 'of', as in 'the expectation of success', and appears in the fixed phrase 'in expectation of', meaning in anticipation of something. The collocation 'meet expectations' is also extremely common when the word refers to a standard someone must reach.
When do you use expectation versus expectations?
The singular 'expectation' usually refers to one belief or the general sense of anticipating something, as in 'the expectation of rain'. The plural 'expectations' more often refers to standards or requirements someone must meet, as in 'high expectations' or 'exceed expectations'.
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