expect

[ ik-spekt ]

verb (used with object)

1. 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.

2. to look for with reason or justification:

   We expect obedience.

3. Informal. to suppose or surmise; guess:

   I expect that you are tired from the trip.

4. to anticipate the birth of (one's child):

   Paul and Sylvia expect their second very soon.

expect

/ ɪkˈspɛkt /

verb

1. to regard as probable or likely; anticipate

   he expects to win

2. to look forward to or be waiting for

   we expect good news today

3. to decide that (something) is requisite or necessary; require

   the boss expects us to work late today

Usage Note

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.

Derived Forms

• exˈpectable, adjective
• exˈpectably, adverb

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of expect¹

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; spectacle

Word History and Origins

Origin of expect¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be expecting, to be pregnant:

   The cat is expecting again.

More idioms and phrases containing expect

see when least expected .

Example Sentences

Park officials expect the spots to be claimed quickly.

From Los Angeles Times

“I expect our guys to be highly competitive. Said this a number of times last year, you don’t need to give a reason to competitive people to compete,” he said Wednesday after the Lakers’ third straight win.

From Los Angeles Times

So don’t expect this duo to magically be able to get an actual Pentagon audit through.

From Slate

Do expect them to pressure agencies that contract with Musk’s companies, and to intimidate those offices that are either investigating or suing said companies.

From Slate

“Within six months, I would expect that executive order to be back in place,” Moynihan said.

From Slate

Related Words

• await
• forecast
• foresee
• hope
• predict
• suppose
• take
• think