expect

ex-pect · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To regard something as likely to happen.

  2. 2.

    To believe that someone or something will arrive.

  3. 3.

    To require or consider necessary.

  4. 4.

    (Informal) To be pregnant.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    expect the unexpected — Be prepared for surprises.
  • •
    as expected — Happening as anticipated.
  • •
    to be expected — Unsurprising given the circumstances.
  • •
    what do you expect? — Used to say something is not surprising.

Related words

Antonyms: despair, doubt
See also: anticipate, assume, await, hope
Synonyms: anticipate, assume, await, presume

Etymology

From Latin expectare ("to await, look out for"), from ex- ("out") + spectare ("to look at"), frequentative of specere ("to see").