Definition of expect
intransitive verb
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
4a : to consider probable or certain expect to be forgiven expect that things will improveb : to consider reasonable, due, or necessary expected hard work from the studentsc : to consider bound in duty or obligated they expect you to pay your bills
expectedly
adverbexpectedness
nounExplore Merriam-Webster
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.
Origin and Etymology of expect
Latin exspectare to look forward to, from ex- + spectare to look at, frequentative of specere to look — more at spy
First Known Use: 1560
Synonym Discussion of expect
EXPECT Defined for English Language Learners
expect
playDefinition of expect for English Language Learners
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: to think that something will probably or certainly happen
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: to think that (someone or something) will arrive or that (something) will happen
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: to consider (something) to be reasonable, required, or necessary
EXPECT Defined for Kids
expect
playDefinition of expect for Students
expected
;expecting
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.
Medical Dictionary
expect
playMedical Definition of expect
: to be pregnant : await the birth of one's child—used in progressive tenses she's expecting next month
Learn More about expect
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See words that rhyme with expect Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for expect Spanish Central: Translation of expect Nglish: Translation of expect for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of expect for Arabic speakers
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