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expectation

noun
 
 
/ˌek.spekˈteɪ.ʃən/

Definition

B2 [C usually plural] the feeling that good things are going to happen in the future: The holiday lived up to all our expectations (= was as good as we were expecting). I have high expectations for this job (= I believe it will be good). We did so well - beyond all (= better than) our expectations. I think she had unrealistic expectations of motherhood.Hoping and hopefulnessPotential [C or U] the feeling of expecting something to happen: Considering the injuries he's had there can be little expectation of him winning the race. Our expectations are that the UK will cut its interest rate.Planning, expecting and arrangingPlotting and trapping against/contrary to all expectations different from what is expected: Contrary to all expectations, she was accepted by the academy.Surprising and shockingMaking people sad, shocked and upset
(Definition of expectation noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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