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View synonyms for expectant

expectant

[ ik-spek-tuhnt ]

adjective

  1. 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

“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


noun

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

  • exˈpectantly, adverb
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of expectant1

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The expectant audience scarcely breathed as he began his theme.

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

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expectancyexpectation