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expect
intransitive verb1archaic : wait
, stay2: to look forward3: to be pregnant : await the birth of one's child —used in progressive tenses <she's expecting next month>transitive verb1archaic : await2: to anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of <we expect them any minute now> <expected a telephone call>3: suppose
, think4 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
synonyms 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>.
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