definitions

expectancy

[ ik-spek-tuh n-see ]
/ ɪkˈspɛk tən si /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR expectancy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural ex·pect·an·cies.

the quality or state of expecting; expectation; anticipatory belief or desire.
the state of being expected.
an object of expectation; something expected.

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RELATED WORDS

prospect, outlook, probability, calculation, prediction, supposition, suspense, trust, surmise, presumption, confidence, reliance, assumption, presentation, assurance, conjecture, belief, expectation, likelihood, presentiment

Nearby words

expat, expatiate, expatriate, expatriation, expect, expectancy, expectant, expectation, expectation of life, expectation sunday, expectation week
Also ex·pect·ance.

Origin of expectancy

From the Medieval Latin word ex(s)pectantia, dating back to 1590–1600. See expectant, -ancy

Can be confused

expectancy expectation
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for expectancy

British Dictionary definitions for expectancy

expectancy

expectance

/ (ɪkˈspɛktənsɪ) /

noun

something expected, esp on the basis of a norm or averagehis life expectancy was 30 years
anticipation; expectation
the prospect of a future interest or possession, esp in propertyan estate in expectancy
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