expected
ihk-SPEHK-tihd
Expected (adjective) means Believed to be likely, coming, or due. Example: “The expected rain never arrived, so the picnic went ahead as planned.”
adjective
1
Believed to be likely, coming, or due.
"The expected rain never arrived, so the picnic went ahead as planned."
"Her expected arrival time is half past six this evening."
"The expected delivery date is next Tuesday."
How to use expected
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPredicted or planned to happen.
Common pairings
expected outcome
expected date
as expected
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more expected
- Superlative
- most expected
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ rain never arrived, so the picnic went ahead as planned.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for expected
erected
elected
dejected
directed
affected
detected
selected
effected
infected
projected
deflected
collected
See all rhymes for expected →
Frequently asked questions
What does “expected” mean?
The word “expected” means believed to be likely, coming, or due. In plain terms, predicted or planned to happen.
How do you pronounce “expected”?
“Expected” is pronounced ihk-SPEHK-tihd (/ɪkˈspɛk.tɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “expected” in a sentence?
Here is “expected” used in a sentence: “The expected delivery date is next Tuesday.”
What is the opposite of “expected”?
The opposite of “expected” — its antonyms — are unexpected, surprising and unlikely.
What part of speech is “expected”?
“Expected” is an adjective.
Is “expected” a common word?
“Expected” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between expected and unexpected?
Expected describes something believed likely to happen or arrive — the expected result. Unexpected is its direct opposite: a surprise, something not foreseen — an unexpected guest. The line between them is prediction. If you saw it coming it was expected, and if it caught you off guard it was unexpected.
What is the difference between expected and anticipated?
Both mean foreseen, but anticipated often adds a sense of active preparation or eagerness — the eagerly anticipated sequel. Expected is more neutral, simply stating that something is believed likely or due. You can expect bad news calmly, but you usually anticipate something you are getting ready for.
What is an example of expected?
The train is expected at nine means it is due then. She gave the expected answer means it was predictable. We are expecting a baby uses the same idea of something due to arrive. In each case, expected marks an outcome believed likely before it actually happens.
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