expect

[ ik-spekt ]

See synonyms for: expect expected expecting expects on Thesaurus.com

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 about expect

be expecting, to be pregnant: The cat is expecting again.

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

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

ex·pect·a·ble, adjective
ex·pect·a·bly, adverb
ex·pect·ed·ly, adverb
ex·pect·ed·ness, noun
ex·pect·er, noun
ex·pect·ing·ly, adverb
o·ver·ex·pect, verb
pre·ex·pect, verb (used with object)
un·ex·pect·a·ble, adjective
un·ex·pect·a·bly, adverb
un·ex·pect·ing, adjective
un·ex·pect·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use expect in a sentence

One in six respondents also expected to lose their health insurance.
Global study finds pandemic exacerbates inequities for trans people | Kaela Roeder | November 20, 2020 | Washington Blade
As the oldest boy of nine siblings, his parents expected him to work.
The Stolen Childhood of Teenage Factory Workers | by Melissa Sanchez | November 20, 2020 | ProPublica
Morales said some students still need to get their childhood vaccines before they are permitted to return and expects them to do so in the coming days.
After 8 months, D.C. Public Schools reopens buildings for more than 400 students | Perry Stein | November 18, 2020 | Washington Post
We expect six more… We’ve seen customers who have to change their mindset when it comes to energy.
The 2020 changes that will stick with us | Alan Murray | November 18, 2020 | Fortune
“We still expect a multiyear recovery for demand, especially with the full economic fallout on household incomes and employment yet to be seen,” Liberum said.
Airlines saw an immediate boost in passenger bookings following vaccine announcements | David Meyer | November 17, 2020 | Fortune

No one expects her to be Elizabeth Warren, but everyone expects Clinton to hear and respect Warren.
The Most Powerful Democrat in America | Michael Tomasky | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The defense team expects to receive all of the documents and evidence in the coming week.
The Strange Case of the Christian Zionist Terrorist | Creede Newton | December 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
By doing that, Bratton has said publicly, he expects that eventually the protests will “peter out on their own.”
Eric Garner Protesters Have a Direct Line to City Hall | Jacob Siegel | December 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Still, he said he expects Novartis to provide further documentation to calm fears.
Did This Flu Vaccine Kill 13? | Barbie Latza Nadeau | December 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
One expects that an ecstatically rendered sex scene would follow, but their first night together is only tacitly referenced.
Hell Hath No Fury Like Valerie Trierweiler, the French President’s Ex | Lizzie Crocker | November 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Porter and Poindexter are within eleven miles of the place, and Duffield expects to be attacked by morning.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. Dunn
Besides, I've often noticed that he drops more kernels in a hill than he expects will grow.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole | Arthur Scott Bailey
He is said to be making for Kirksville, where he expects to be joined by the guerrilla bands of northwestern Missouri.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. Dunn
The words were out, and he stood back as stands a man who, having cast an insult, prepares to ward the blow he expects in answer.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
She thinks he is as beautiful as a star, but she never expects him to come and light on her shoulder.
Child Life In Town And Country | Anatole France

British Dictionary definitions for expect

expect

/ (ɪkˈspɛkt) /

verb(tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive)

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

Origin of expect

C16: from Latin exspectāre to watch for, from spectāre to look at

See also expecting

Derived forms of expect

expectable, adjective
expectably, adverb

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with expect

expect

see when least expected.

Browse