Meaning & use

expect

verb·Everyday

To believe that something will happen or that someone will arrive, based on available information.

See it in a sentence

We expect the package to arrive sometime early next week at the latest.

She didn't expect so many people to show up at the small gallery opening.

A note on using this word

"Expect" can also mean to require something as reasonable, as in "we expect punctuality from all staff."

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Make it your own

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