expectation

[ek-spek-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act or the state of expecting.

   to wait in expectation.

2. the act or state of looking forward or anticipating.

   Synonyms: trust, hope, anticipation, expectancy

3. an expectant mental attitude.

   a high pitch of expectation.

4. something expected; a thing looked forward to.

5. Often expectations. a prospect of future good or profit.

   to have great expectations.

6. the degree of probability that something will occur.

   There is little expectation that he will come.

7. Mathematics, Statistics.,  mathematical expectation.

8. the state of being expected.

   a large sum of money in expectation.

expectation

/ ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən, ɪkˈspɛktətɪv /

noun

1. the act or state of expecting or the state of being expected

2. (usually plural) something looked forward to, whether feared or hoped for

   we have great expectations for his future

   their worst expectations

3. an attitude of expectancy or hope; anticipation

   to regard something with expectation

4. statistics

   1. the numerical probability that an event will occur

   2. another term for expected value

Other Word Forms

• expectational adjective
• expectationist noun
• overexpectation noun
• preexpectation noun
• superexpectation noun
• expectative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expectation¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin ex(s)pectātiōn-, stem of ex(s)pectātiō “anticipation, suspense,” from ex(s)pectāt(us) (past participle of ex(s)pectāre “to look out for, await”) + -iō -ion; expect

Example Sentences

Those waiting excitedly to see what Son could do in LA have not been disappointed, with him even exceeding expectations.

From BBC

There is an expectation that these companies will then offer similar terms to their own suppliers, allowing funding to flow rapidly down the supply chain.

From BBC

Johnson tried to temper those expectations in the run-up to the release.

From BBC

Russell Martin has been sacked as Rangers head coach after 17 games, with the club saying "while all transition periods require some time, results have not met expectations".

From BBC

His mentality was praised as he broke through from the PSG youth system, appearing to cope well with the weight of expectation that came with being an Mbappe.

From BBC

Related Words

• assumption 
• chance 
• confidence 
• fear 
• forecast 
• hope 
• intention 
• likelihood 
• notion 
• outlook 
• possibility 
• prediction 
• promise 
• prospect 
• trust 
• view