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Synonyms

expect

American

[ik-spekt] / ɪkˈspɛkt /

verb (used with object)

to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of.

I expect to read it. I expect him later. She expects that they will come.
to look for with reason or justification.

We expect obedience.
Informal. to suppose or surmise; guess.

I expect that you are tired from the trip.
to anticipate the birth of (one's child).

Paul and Sylvia expect their second very soon.

idioms

be expecting, to be pregnant.

The cat is expecting again.

expect British

/ ɪkˈspɛkt /

verb

to regard as probable or likely; anticipate

he expects to win
to look forward to or be waiting for

we expect good news today
to decide that (something) is requisite or necessary; require

the boss expects us to work late today

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

expect More Idioms

see when least expected.

Usage

This sense of expect ( I expect you went with them. I expect you want to leave now. ) is encountered in the speech of educated people but seldom in their writing.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of expect

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin ex(s)pectāre “to look out for, await,” equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + spectāre “to look at,” frequentative of specere; see spectacle

Explanation

If you expect something, you think it’s going to happen. If you got up at 4 in the morning, you can expect to fall asleep earlier than usual tonight. If you expect (or anticipate) something, you are fairly sure that it is coming, though you might not be totally certain. You might expect to graduate from a certificate program on time, barring unforeseen events that prevent you from going to class. If you say, simply, “I’m expecting,” people will assume you’re pregnant. Someone disappointed in you might shake his head and say, "I expected more from you."

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Vocabulary lists containing expect

"Eleven"

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List 5

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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.

El Niño also tends to suppress Atlantic hurricanes, and forecasters already expect a quieter-than-average season.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

When Verizon says its customer service is getting so much better because of the use of AI, it’s reasonable to expect that software companies that help people in customer service could be under pressure.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

He wants to know about every bit of money we have or expect to receive in the future.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

Don’t expect a New York Knicks-style celebrity row.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

“The ruins are less than a mile by walking. We walked farther when we found Leigh the Bard. We have to expect that it will be hidden by protective enchantments. Not to mention—a test.”

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023