First Known Use: 1560
Dictionary
expect
verb ex·pect \ik-ˈspekt\
: 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
Full 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>
4
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>
— ex·pect·able \-ˈspek-tə-bəl\ adjective
— ex·pect·ably \-blē\ adverb
— ex·pect·ed·ly adverb
— ex·pect·ed·ness noun
See expect defined for English-language learners
See expect defined for kids
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Origin of EXPECT
Latin exspectare to look forward to, from ex- + spectare to look at, frequentative of specere to look — more at spy
Related to EXPECT
- Synonyms
- anticipate, await, hope (for), watch (for), look for, look forward to
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Rhymes with EXPECT
abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked
EXPECTABLY Defined for Kids
expect
verb ex·pect \ik-ˈspekt\
ex·pect·edex·pect·ing
Definition of EXPECT for Kids
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
intransitive verb ex·pect \ik-ˈspekt\
Medical Definition of EXPECT
: to be pregnant : await the birth of one's child—used in progressive tenses <she's expecting next month>
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