expect
regard something as probable or likely
How often you will meet it
Rank 926 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 19,889 times across 173,643 chapters — 0.009% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
verb
- regard something as probable or likely also: anticipate The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow
- consider obligatory; request and expect also: ask, require We require our secretary to be on timeAren't we asking too much of these children?
- look forward to the probable occurrence of also: look, await, wait We were expecting a visit from our relativesShe is looking to a promotion
- consider reasonable or due I'm expecting a full explanation as to why these files were destroyed
- look forward to the birth of a child She is expecting in March
- be pregnant with also: have a bun in the oven, bear, carry, gestate She is bearing his childThe are expecting another child in January
expect in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Who could expect, or desire, aught else?
The Hill: A Romance of Friendship · Horace Annesley Vachell · Chapter 1
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I expect to get some pupils in the neighbourhood, and also some literary work.
The Betrayal · E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim · Chapter 1
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I may return as a stowaway, but anyhow expect me, and prepare the fatted outlet.
Punch — Volume 99, August 16, 1890 · Various · Chapter 1
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On the contrary, the news I bring gives me reason to expect much from his favor.
An Egyptian Princess — Volume 07 · Georg Ebers · Chapter 1
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You, and the minor New-York papers, expect to devote most of your space to this wonderful undertaking.
Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 08, May 21, 1870 · Various · Chapter 1