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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
nounFrom the M-W Editors
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 of expect from the Web
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Fischer has stood by Conrad publicly, saying no one person can be blamed for Louisville's uptick in violent crime or expected to solve it alone.
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That tax is expected to bring in a little more than $13 million this year.
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Some Republican senators are expected to hold town halls and hear from constituents, some of whom are likely to express grievances over the health-care debate.
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The events are expected to have a major economic impact on South Florida in addition to promoting the Marlins and the team’s 6-year old ballpark.
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Other major candidates are expected to follow in the coming days.
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Guests can expect a fresh look, new logo and updates to the ever-evolving menu, but favorites like the lamb osso buco, salmon and crab napoleon and rum cake will stay.
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While coal use may be on the decline in industrialized nations, Joyce and Paterson report that coal consumption is still expected to rise globally by 18 percent by 2040 since coal is one of the cheapest and most widely available fuels.
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Expecting to complete SN1 on Friday — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 3, 2017 Handover party for first 30 customer Model 3's on the 28th!
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.
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
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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