expect
[ ik-spekt ]
/ ɪkˈspɛkt /
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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.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Idioms for expect
be expecting, to be pregnant: The cat is expecting again.
Origin of expect
usage note for expect
3. 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 WORDS FROM expect
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for expect
expect
/ (ɪkˈspɛkt) /
verb (tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive)
to regard as probable or likely; anticipatehe expects to win
to look forward to or be waiting forwe expect good news today
to decide that (something) is requisite or necessary; requirethe boss expects us to work late today
See also expecting
Derived forms of expect
expectable, adjectiveexpectably, adverbWord Origin for expect
C16: from Latin exspectāre to watch for, from spectāre to look at
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
Idioms and Phrases with expect
expect
see when least expected.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.