Definition of “expect” - English Dictionary

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“expect” in English

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expectverb

uk ​ /ɪkˈspekt/ us ​ /ɪkˈspekt/

expect verb (THINK)

B1 [ T ] to think or believe something will happen, or someone will arrive:

We are expecting a lot of applicants for the job.
[ + (that) ] I expect (that) you'll find it somewhere in your bedroom.
I expect (that) he'd have left anyway.
[ + to infinitive ] He didn't expect to see me.
The financial performance of the business is fully expected (= almost certain) to improve.
We were half expecting you not to come back.
(only) to be expected

› normal and what usually happens:

All parents of small children get tired. It's to be expected.

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

expect verb (BE PREGNANT)

be expecting (a baby)

B2 to be pregnant:

She shouldn't be lifting those boxes if she's expecting.
Kate and Dom are expecting a baby.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

expected
adjective [ before noun ] uk ​ /ɪkˈspek.tɪd/ us ​ /ɪkˈspek.tɪd/

B2

The expected counter-attack never happened.

Grammar

Expect, hope or wait? …
ExpectWe use expect to say that we believe that something will happen. We use expect in the following main patterns: …
HopeWe use hope when we do not know whether something will happen or not but we want it to happen. We use hope in the following patterns: …
WaitWe use wait when we refer to letting time pass because we are expecting that something is going to happen. We use wait in the following main patterns: …
Expect, hope or wait: typical errors …

(Definition of “expect” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“expect” in American English

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expectverb

us ​ /ɪkˈspekt/

› to think or believe that something will happen, or that someone will arrive:

[ T ] We are expecting about 100 people for the lecture.
[ T ] His plane is expected to land at about 7:30 this evening.
[ + to infinitive ] We expected to see her here, but I guess she decided not to come.

› To expect is also to ask for something to happen because you think you have a right to ask for it:

[ T ] The boss wants me to work this weekend – that’s expecting a lot!
is expecting

› If you say that a woman is expecting, you mean that she is pregnant.

expectancy
noun [ U ] us ​ /ɪkˈspek·tən·si/

›

There was an air of expectancy as the chairman rose to speak.
expectantly
adverb [ not gradable ] us ​ /ɪkˈspek·tənt·li/

›

She looked up at him expectantly.

(Definition of “expect” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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expect

The introduction of e-procurement is one of the new directive's key elements, and from the new electronic procurement instruments we can expect sustained good progress.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
His reply has not given me a great deal of confidence that it has the sort of priority that we expect.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Nevertheless we expect it will arrive.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We accordingly expect them to show firm commitment, greater determination and, above all, great courage, sparing no effort in their pursuit of peace.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Can we expect, for example, that the mechanisms of self-regulation and co-regulation will prove a genuinely satisfactory solution to the problem?
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
But, in giving away those individual rights and freedoms, we also expect the same responsibility on the part of those in power.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We also, however, need to be realistic and open-minded, not only about the results we expect from negotiations, but also about the ends we have in view.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We expect more than just general intentions now; we expect progress to be made at last by one of the very countries which is most affected by the situation.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The citizens expect concrete action, better consideration of their concerns, whether in economic and social matters or with regard to their security.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
They are not elected to be spectators or observers at a trial, but to be legislators, and that is what the public expect us to do.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English

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Euphemisms (Words used to Avoid Offending People)

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