expectant

[ ik-spek-tuhnt ]

adjective

1. having expectations; expecting:

   an excited, expectant audience.

2. pregnant; expecting:

   an expectant mother.

3. characterized by expectations:

   an expectant attitude.

4. in expectation; expected; prospective:

   an expectant fortune.

noun

1. a person who expects or who waits in expectation.

expectant

/ ɪkˈspɛktənt /

adjective

1. expecting, anticipating, or hopeful

   an expectant glance

2. having expectations, esp of possession of something or prosperity
3. pregnant

   an expectant mother

noun

1. a person who expects something
2. obsolete.
   a candidate for office, esp for ecclesiastical preferment

Derived Forms

• exˈpectantly, adverb

Other Words From

• ex·pectant·ly adverb
• half-ex·pectant adjective
• half-ex·pectant·ly adverb
• nonex·pectant adjective
• nonex·pectant·ly adverb
• over·ex·pectant adjective
• over·ex·pectant·ly adverb
• preex·pectant noun
• quasi-ex·pectant adjective
• quasi-ex·pectant·ly adverb
• unex·pectant adjective
• unex·pectant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of expectant¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin expectant- (stem of expectāns ), present participle of expectāre to expect; -ant

Example Sentences

Prenatal care could prevent many mothers from delivering prematurely, but covid-19 has made expectant parents much more likely to skip those doctor’s visits.

From MIT Technology Review

I looked at the expectant faces of my fellow players, channeled all the luck of the past pandemic year into my fist — and someone sprayed Windex in my face.

From Washington Post

By then, she says adoption numbers had dropped significantly because of increased competition and a decreasing number of expectant mothers seeking to place their babies.

From Time

Dear expectant parents,I am writing today with some ideas for your “gender reveal” party.

From Washington Post

You newly expectant parents apparently demand your Special Day, and I am here to accommodate you with ideas.

From Washington Post

Those feelings are due, in part, to the notion that if an expectant mom is super vigilant, she can control her pregnancy.

From The Daily Beast

By his own admission to reporters, Acevedo plowed into the cab carrying the expectant couple and then fled the scene.

From The Daily Beast

Thankfully (or perhaps not, for some expectant theatergoers), the play steers clear of nudity and anything too explicit.

From The Daily Beast

Expectant moms are advised to avoid alcohol, and dads often go along for the ride these days.

From The Daily Beast

Next, a weary expectant mother came through the doors in a wheelchair, palm to forehead.

From The Daily Beast

When the crowd saw who he was the argument desisted forthwith, the crowd became quiet and respectful, moreover expectant.

From Project Gutenberg

The host hastily poured whiskey-and-soda lest he should look haughtily expectant.

From Project Gutenberg

It was fragrant with the perfume of violets, and he stood gazing at her portrait expectant of her coming.

From Project Gutenberg

The expectant audience scarcely breathed as he began his theme.

From Project Gutenberg

But her ears magnified a thousandfold each crackling of a log and each creak of the floor sent expectant shivers along her spine.

From Project Gutenberg