expect

verb

ex·​pect ik-ˈspekt How to pronounce expect (audio)
expected; expecting; expects

transitive verb

1
a
: to consider probable or certain
expect to be forgiven
expect that things will improve
b
: to consider reasonable, due, or necessary
expected hard work from the students
c
: to consider bound in duty or obligated
they expect you to pay your bills
2
: to anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of
we expect them any minute now
expected a telephone call
3
4
archaic : await

intransitive verb

1
: to be pregnant : await the birth of one's child
used in progressive tenses
she's expecting next month
2
: to look forward
3
archaic : wait, stay
expectable adjective
expectably adverb
expectedly adverb
expectedness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for expect

expect, hope, look mean to await some occurrence or outcome.

expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning.

expects to be finished by Tuesday

hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence or assurance in the possibility that what one desires or longs for will happen.

hopes to find a job soon

look, with to, implies assurance that expectations will be fulfilled

looks to a tidy profit from the sale

; with for it implies less assurance and suggests an attitude of expectancy and watchfulness.

look for rain when the wind shifts to the northeast

Examples of expect in a Sentence

As expected, the election was very close. It's expected that the new products will be available next month. Prices are expected to rise. He's opposed to the new law, as you might expect. Good things sometimes happen when you least expect them. I'm expecting a phone call. The expected delivery date is next month. He's a teacher who expects hard work from his students. We expected more from you. This is not the kind of behavior I expected of you.
Recent Examples on the Web Details are slim regarding what fans can expect from the new tracks, although there is at least one collaboration in the works. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 The National Weather Service says there's a 30% chance of showers Thursday, but they're not expected to last. Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024 Meta, which owns the only two chat apps that fall under the rules, is expected to come up with a proposal on how Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp users can exchange text messages, videos and images. Kelvin Chan, Fortune Europe, 6 Mar. 2024 Indiana is in the path of totality for the total solar eclipse on April 8, and thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the Hoosier state for the rare event. Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2024 From there things seemed to be smooth sailing, with all the dad jokes, costume puns, clue packages, and performances (good and bad) fans have come to expect from the show. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 6 Mar. 2024 The new release, which is actually a re-release, is called High Angels’ Share because the amount of whiskey left in the barrel was lower than expected after aging. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Mar. 2024 More:Illegal pot trade linked to Mexican drug cartels leaves contaminants, dead animals behind The cartel expects its workers to make calls to Americans every day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., working in shifts, according to government officials. Steve Fisher, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 If Stanton can achieve these goals while hitting in the bottom third of the Yankees’ lineup, expect a successful season of baseball in the Bronx. Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'expect.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin exspectare to look forward to, from ex- + spectare to look at, frequentative of specere to look — more at spy

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of expect was in 1560

Dictionary Entries Near expect

Cite this Entry

“Expect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expect. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

expect

verb
ex·​pect ik-ˈspekt How to pronounce expect (audio)
1
: to believe that something will occur and wait for it to happen
expect rain
expect her home soon
2
: suppose sense 3, think
who do you expect will win?
3
a
: to consider reasonable, due, or necessary
expect an honest day's work
b
: to consider obligated
expected you to pay your debts
expectable adjective
Etymology

from Latin expectare, exspectare "to look forward to," from ex- "out, forth" and spectare "to watch, look at," derived from specere "to look, look at" — related to auspice, spectacle

Medical Definition

expect

intransitive verb
ex·​pect ik-ˈspekt How to pronounce expect (audio)
: to be pregnant : await the birth of one's child
used in progressive tenses
she's expecting next month

More from Merriam-Webster on expect

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