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

He said he wanted to see "why we're so invested in screening and how it affects healthcare professionals, as well as expectant parents".

From BBC

"Sid usually hovers around the pan looking expectant, so he has a little dog chew so he's not left out."

From BBC

An RSV vaccine is also available for expectant mothers at weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy to pass protection to their fetuses.

From Los Angeles Times

Where Norman, already unnerved by Solange’s re-appearance, places household duties on his expectant wife, a racial and religious divide between the women is foreboding.

From Salon

But this American juggenaut will take some stopping in front of expectant fans at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.

From BBC