expect

verb

ex·pect | \ ik-ˈspekt

expected; expecting; expects

Definition of expect

intransitive verb

1 archaic : wait, stay

2 : to look forward

3 : to be pregnant : await the birth of one's child —used in progressive tenses she's expecting next month

transitive verb

1 archaic : await

2 : to anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of we expect them any minute now expected a telephone call

3 : suppose, think

4a : 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

Other Words from expect Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about expect

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Other Words from expect

expectable \ ik-ˈspek-tə-bəl

\ adjective

expectably \ ik-ˈspek-tə-blē

\ 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

Tarek and Christina will reunite on-screen for Flip or Flop season 8 this spring, and Christina's solo show is expected to premiere around the same time. — Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, "Christina El Moussa Steps Out in a Bikini on Her Romantic Beach Honeymoon," 12 Jan. 2019 In order to manage expected attendance as the new Star Wars land opens this summer, ticket prices will increase up to 7 to 10 percent. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Disneyland Admission Prices Will Be Increasing Ahead Of Star Wars Land Opening," 9 Jan. 2019 An intimate tour of the Casa Dragones private guest house follows the tasting, which interior design lovers can expect to swoon over. — Jaimie Potters, ELLE Decor, "A Design Lover's Guide to Visiting San Miguel de Allende," 7 Jan. 2019 Voyage isn't yet charging for its service but expects to start doing so in 2019. — Timothy B. Lee, Ars Technica, "The hype around driverless cars came crashing down in 2018," 30 Dec. 2018 Advertisers will expect more detailed listener data as the industry matures, says Dennis Buchheim, who leads IAB’s Tech Lab. — Ashley Carman, The Verge, "NPR wants to know what podcast ads you skip," 27 Dec. 2018 But since this storm won't have (or isn't expected to have) snow, most are keeping an eye on the weather and seeing how things shake out. — Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Winter Storm Is Probably Going to Mess Up Your Holiday Travel," 21 Dec. 2018 Coming out of the summer on the West Coast, homes that were expected to spark bidding wars instead lingered on the market, leading to huge spikes in inventory for sale. — Jeff Andrews, Curbed, "Housing market signaled potential future downturn in 2018," 21 Dec. 2018 But the new sitcom — starring Sarah Gilbert, Laurie Metcalf, and John Goodman — seems to be performing better than expected. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "Here's When We'll Know if 'The Conners' Is Getting Canceled or if There'll Be a Season 2," 27 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'expect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Learn More about expect

Dictionary Entries near expect

Statistics for expect

Last Updated

19 Jan 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for expect

The first known use of expect was in 1560

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More Definitions for expect

expect

verb

English Language Learners Definition of expect

: to think that something will probably or certainly happen

: to think that (someone or something) will arrive or that (something) will happen

: to consider (something) to be reasonable, required, or necessary

See the full definition for expect in the English Language Learners Dictionary

expect

verb

ex·pect | \ ik-ˈspekt

expected; expecting

Kids Definition of expect

1 : to think that something probably will be or happen They expect rain. Close up the motorcycle looked even better than he expected.— Beverly Cleary, The Mouse and the Motorcycle

2 : to await the arrival of We're expecting guests.

3 : to consider to be obliged I expect you to pay your debts.

4 : to consider reasonable, due, or necessary I expect your attention.