expectation
Americannoun
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expectations
plural
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the act or the state of expecting.
to wait in expectation.
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the act or state of looking forward or anticipating.
- Synonyms:
- trust, hope, anticipation, expectancy
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an expectant mental attitude.
a high pitch of expectation.
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something expected; a thing looked forward to.
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Often expectations. a prospect of future good or profit.
to have great expectations.
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the degree of probability that something will occur.
There is little expectation that he will come.
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Mathematics, Statistics. mathematical expectation.
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the state of being expected.
a large sum of money in expectation.
noun
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the act or state of expecting or the state of being expected
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(usually plural) something looked forward to, whether feared or hoped for
we have great expectations for his future
their worst expectations
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an attitude of expectancy or hope; anticipation
to regard something with expectation
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statistics
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the numerical probability that an event will occur
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another term for expected value
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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expectationistnoun
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overexpectationnoun
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preexpectationnoun
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superexpectationnoun
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expectationaladjective
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expectativeadjective
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of expectation
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; see expect
Explanation
An expectation is a belief about what might happen in the future, like your expectation to stay close with your best friends your whole life. The word expectation comes from the Latin word expectationem, meaning "an awaiting." If you have great expectations, you think something good will come your way, but if keep your expectations low, you won't risk being disappointed. Expectation can also describe something that is supposed to happen, like a teacher whose expectation is that everyone comes to class prepared.
Vocabulary lists containing expectation
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
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The Crossover
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
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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.
See Examples For:
I am really looking forward to seeing Spurs under Roberto de Zerbi and the expectation will be that they do well.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
If you’re an up-and-coming quarterback, there has to be an extra layer of pressure and expectation if your father played the position at an elite level.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
Sure, there’s slightly more concern than a couple of months ago, but the bond market’s expectation of inflation, known as the break-even rate, isn’t particularly elevated and remains close to the Fed’s 2% goal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
“Bottom line, I like treating this weakness as an opportunity rather than a warning, with my expectation being for a push back to new highs before a choppier period materializes into September,” he says.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
She continued to study me behind glasses that seemed to make her eyes big and owlish and full of expectation.
From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English
It was an electric atmosphere and the games lived up to expectations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026
Crude oil futures were little changed and on track for weekly gains amid market expectations of an extended standoff in the Persian Gulf between the U.S. and Iran.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
The company cited failing to meet ESG expectations as a key risk factor in its IPO paperwork.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026
“People’s expectations are increasingly misaligned with what the apps are actually telling you, and with what weather prediction can tell you in the first place,” he told me.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
“It sounds like you’ve got some Disney-fied expectations of Sandy June’s —and dating in general. Dreaming is important, but real life, the way it comes at you sideways, is always going to be a surprise.”
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
