expect
to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of: I expect to read it. I expect him later. She expects that they will come.
to look for with reason or justification: We expect obedience.
Informal. to suppose or surmise; guess: I expect that you are tired from the trip.
to anticipate the birth of (one's child): Paul and Sylvia expect their second very soon.
Idioms about expect
be expecting, to be pregnant: The cat is expecting again.
Origin of expect
1usage note For expect
Other words from expect
- ex·pect·a·ble, adjective
- ex·pect·a·bly, adverb
- ex·pect·ed·ly, adverb
- ex·pect·ed·ness, noun
- ex·pect·er, noun
- ex·pect·ing·ly, adverb
- o·ver·ex·pect, verb
- pre·ex·pect, verb (used with object)
- un·ex·pect·a·ble, adjective
- un·ex·pect·a·bly, adverb
- un·ex·pect·ing, adjective
- un·ex·pect·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for expect
/ (ɪkˈspɛkt) /
to regard as probable or likely; anticipate: he expects to win
to look forward to or be waiting for: we expect good news today
to decide that (something) is requisite or necessary; require: the boss expects us to work late today
Origin of expect
1- See also expecting
Derived forms of expect
- expectable, adjective
- expectably, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with expect
see when least expected.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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