expectancy
Americannoun
-
the quality or state of expecting; expectation; anticipatory belief or desire.
-
the state of being expected.
-
an object of expectation; something expected.
noun
-
something expected, esp on the basis of a norm or average
his life expectancy was 30 years
-
anticipation; expectation
-
the prospect of a future interest or possession, esp in property
an estate in expectancy
Etymology
Origin of expectancy
From the Medieval Latin word ex(s)pectantia, dating back to 1590–1600. See expectant, -ancy
Explanation
Expectancy is the state of thinking (or hoping) that something will happen. You can sense the expectancy in the crowd just before your favorite band takes the stage. Use this word to talk about a sense of anticipation, like your little brother's expectancy every year on his birthday that someone will throw him a surprise party. It's also used to mean "an expected amount," especially in the context of life expectancy, or the average length of a person's life: "Typically, women have a longer life expectancy than men do." Expectancy is from expect, from a Latin root meaning "look for."
Vocabulary lists containing expectancy
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The data comes from a report by the United States Small-Area Life Expectancy Project that looks at different factors, such as residency, income, education level and unemployment, to determine how long you will live.
From Washington Times • Jul. 13, 2019
A Sunday Times review of the Life Expectancy Project data, however, reveals income level is the socio-economic factor most closely related to life expectancy.
From Washington Times • Jul. 13, 2019
Life Expectancy: A Comedy in Three Trimesters A couple in their 40s prepare for the arrival of their first child in Catherine Butterfield’s new comedy.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2016
Expectancy theory states that whatever we focus on expands.
From Forbes • Feb. 11, 2015
Expectancy sat visibly upon Lucetta the next morning.
From The Mayor of Casterbridge by Hardy, Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
