expect

verb

ex·​pect ik-ˈspekt 

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.

I'm expecting a phone call.

3

informal : suppose, think

I expect they feel the same way.

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

ik-ˈspek-tə-bəl 

adjective

expectably

ik-ˈspek-tə-blē 

adverb

expectedly adverb

expectedness noun

Synonyms of expect

• anticipate
• await

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

What Happens Next The Metropolitan Police Department and federal agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, with more information on the suspect, motive, and possible broader implications expected as updates are released. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

Box office analysts expect the film to generate between $135 million and $150 million during the five-day Thanksgiving period. —Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025

Vásquez said that the authority expects to have application documents to pre-qualify for the port terminals project ready between the end of December of this year and January 2026. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 26 Nov. 2025

As the sun approaches the peak of its 11-year activity cycle, events such as prominences, filaments, and coronal mass ejections are expected to become more frequent and pronounced. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 26 Nov. 2025

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

Phrases Containing expect

• expect the worst

Rhymes for expect

• affect
• aspect
• bedecked
• bisect
• collect
• connect
• correct
• deflect
• detect
• direct
• dissect
• effect

Kids Definition

expect

verb

ex·​pect ik-ˈspekt 

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

-ˈspek-tə-bəl 

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 

: to be pregnant : await the birth of one's child

—used in progressive tenses

she's expecting next month