Your expectations are your strong hopes or beliefs that something will happen or that you will get something that you want.
Students' expectations were as varied as their expertise.
The car has been General Motors' most visible success story, with sales far exceedingexpectations.
The Chancellor's statement lowers expectations of an early election.
Contrary to general expectation, he announced that all four had given their approval.
2. countable noun [usually plural]
A person's expectations are strong beliefs which they have about the proper way someone should behave or something should happen.
Stephen Chase had determined to live up to the expectations of the Company. [+of]
...the expectation that the grieving process should have a time limit on it.
More Synonyms of expectation
expectation in British English
(ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act or state of expecting or the state of being expected
2. (usually plural)
something looked forward to, whether feared or hoped for
we have great expectations for his future
their worst expectations
3.
an attitude of expectancy or hope; anticipation
to regard something with expectation
4. statistics
a.
the numerical probability that an event will occur
b. another term for expected value
Derived forms
expectative (ɪkˈspɛktətɪv)
adjective
expectation in American English
(ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən)
noun
1.
a looking forward to; anticipation
2.
a looking for as due, proper, or necessary
3.
a thing looked forward to
4. [also pl.]
a reason or warrant for looking forward to something; prospect for the future, as of advancement or prosperity
5.
the probability of the occurrence, duration, etc. of something, esp. as indicated by statistics
Derived forms
expectative (ɛkˈspɛktətɪv; ɪkˈspɛktətɪv)
adjective
Word origin
L expectatio < pp. of expectare: see expect
COBUILD Collocations
expectation
above expectations
confound expectations
cultural expectations
dampen expectation
dash expectations
defy expectations
exceed expectations
expectations were dashed
expectations were low
false expectations
fulfil an expectation
fulfil expectations
great expectations
growth expectations
impossible expectations
inflation expectations
lower expectations
manage expectations
match expectations
meet expectations
outperform expectations
parental expectations
raise expectations
realistic expectations
reasonable expectation
reflect expectations
reinforce expectations
rising expectations
surpass expectations
unrealistic expectations
unreasonable expectations
Examples of 'expectation' in a sentence
expectation
One obvious explanation is that their expectations are far too high.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Two artworks captured the expectations of the time.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He might have been but a few thousand held their breath in hope rather than expectation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But one or two very big names have had problems adapting to the expectations and the way of playing.
The Sun (2016)
The employer will also have its own assessments to make sure each apprentice is meeting expectations in the workplace.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It can soon become apparent that the individual is having difficulty meeting the expectations set out in the new position.
The Sun (2016)
But the more you express your expectations early, the more likely a relationship is to last.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
A similar proportion had positive expectations about it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There are also parallels with Great Expectations.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
January is always a time of great expectations and of massive disappointments.
The Sun (2014)
Success breeds expectation and expectation breeds stress.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
There are certain cultural expectations that can get in the way.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Their expectations went far beyond what was being provided.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
What are your expectations with regards to cleaning the flat?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This season he feels much more comfortable about what our expectations are.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There was a general expectation that a surprise runner might emerge from the pack.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The small group should manifest an attitude of expectation.
Christianity Today (2000)
The general expectation is that future settlements will be far lower than in the past five years.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Nobody has unrealistic expectations the second time around.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
And then you have to meet their musical expectations.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
What looms is hope rather than expectation.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
She suspects that she got it because she had no expectations of success.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The pressure and expectations only get to you if you let them.
The Sun (2006)
The club have performed far above expectations.
The Sun (2015)
How does this information change your expectations regarding the future price of gasoline?
Miller, Roger LeRoy & Fishe, Raymond P. H. Microeconomics: Price Theory in Practice (1995)
Some of our expectations about the speed of recovery of our emotions are totally unrealistic.
Knowles, Jane Know Your Own Mind (1991)
This is one of those lines that makes you nod your head in the expectation that something profound has been said.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In my view this is partly down to the way that our expectations have changed in line with the modern economy.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
You get a sense of thrill, expectation and anticipation.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Early expectation is that the road will remain closed for all of Sunday.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I do feel the great expectations.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
One more barrier to the general expectation of a duel for the Gold Cup was removed yesterday.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The right combination of personalities, and establishing clear expectations in the early stages, are key.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Quotations
Blessed is the man who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointedAlexander Popeletter to Fortescue
In other languages
expectation
British English: expectation NOUN
Your expectations are your strong hopes or beliefs that something will happen.
Students' expectations were as varied as their expertise.
American English: expectation
Brazilian Portuguese: expectativa
Chinese: 期望
European Spanish: expectativa
French: attente
German: Erwartung
Italian: aspettativa
Japanese: 期待
Korean: 기대
European Portuguese: expectativa
Latin American Spanish: expectativa
All related terms of 'expectation'
dampen expectation
Your expectations are your strong hopes or beliefs that something will happen or that you will get something that you want .
reasonable expectation
A person's expectations are strong beliefs which they have about the proper way someone should behave or something should happen .
expectation of life
the statistically determined average number of years of life remaining after a specified age for a given group of individuals
fulfil an expectation
Your expectations are your strong hopes or beliefs that something will happen or that you will get something that you want .
mathematical expectation
the sum or integral of all possible values of a random variable , or any given function of it, multiplied by the respective probabilities of the values of the variable. Symbol : E ( X ). E ( X ) is the mean of the distribution ; E ( X–c ) = E ( X )– c where c is a constant
false expectations
Your expectations are your strong hopes or beliefs that something will happen or that you will get something that you want.
life expectancy
The life expectancy of a person, animal, or plant is the length of time that they are normally likely to live .
Chinese translation of 'expectation'
expectation
(ɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən)
n(c/u)
(= hope) 期望 (qīwàng) (个(個), gè)
(= belief) 预(預)计(計) (yùjì) (种(種), zhǒng)
against or contrary to all expectation(s)出乎意料 (chūhū yìliào)
to live up to sb's expectations不负(負)某人的期望 (bù fù mǒurén de qīwàng)
in the expectation that ... 预(預)计(計) ... (yùjì ... )
1 (noun)
Definition
the state of expecting or of being expected
Sales of the car have far exceeded expectations.
Synonyms
projection
the company's sales projections for the next year
supposition
There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.
assumption
They are wrong in their assumption that we are all alike.
calculation
belief
forecast
He delivered his election forecast.
assurance
likelihood
probability
There is a high probability of success.
presumption
the presumption that a defendant is innocent until proved guilty
conjecture
Your assertion is merely a conjecture, not a fact.
surmise
Her surmise proved correct.
presupposition
the presupposition that human life must be sustained for as long as possible
2 (noun)
Definition
something looked forward to, whether feared or hoped for
His nerves tingled with expectation.
Synonyms
anticipation
There's been an atmosphere of anticipation round here for some days.
hope
Kevin hasn't given up hope of being fit.
possibility
There is still a possibility of unrest in the country.
prospect
There is little prospect of having these questions answered.
chance
This partnership has a good chance of success.
fear
promise
looking forward
excitement
prediction
outlook
expectancy
The atmosphere here at the stadium is one of expectancy.
apprehension
suspense
a writer who holds the suspense throughout her tale
3 (noun)
Definition
belief that someone should behave in a particular way
Sometimes people have unreasonable expectations of the medical profession.
Synonyms
requirement
The products met all legal requirements.
demand
The demand for coal is down.
want
The company needs to respond to the wants of our customers.
wish
The decision was made against the wishes of the party leader.
insistence
She had attended an interview at his insistence.
reliance
Quotation
Blessed is the man who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed [Alexander Pope – letter to Fortescue]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of assumption
Definition
something that is taken for granted
They are wrong in their assumption that we are all alike.
Synonyms
presumption,
theory,
opinion,
belief,
guess,
expectation,
fancy,
suspicion,
premise,
acceptance,
hypothesis,
anticipation,
inference,
conjecture,
surmise,
supposition,
presupposition,
premise,
postulation
in the sense of chance
Definition
the extent to which something is likely to happen
This partnership has a good chance of success.
Synonyms
probability,
odds,
possibility,
prospect,
liability,
likelihood
in the sense of conjecture
Definition
a guess
Your assertion is merely a conjecture, not a fact.
Synonyms
guess,
theory,
fancy,
notion,
speculation,
assumption,
hypothesis,
inference,
presumption,
surmise,
theorizing,
guesswork,
supposition,
shot in the dark,
guesstimate (informal)
Synonyms of 'expectation'
expectation
Explore 'expectation' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of supposition
Definition
an idea or a statement believed or assumed to be true
There's a popular supposition that we're publicly funded.
Synonyms
belief,
idea,
notion,
view,
theory,
speculation,
assumption,
hypothesis,
presumption,
conjecture,
postulate,
surmise,
guesswork,
guess
in the sense of surmise
Definition
a conclusion based on incomplete or uncertain evidence
Her surmise proved correct.
Synonyms
guess,
speculation,
assumption,
thought,
idea,
conclusion,
notion,
suspicion,
hypothesis,
deduction,
inference,
presumption,
conjecture,
supposition
in the sense of suspense
Definition
a state of anxiety or uncertainty
a writer who holds the suspense throughout her tale
Synonyms
uncertainty,
doubt,
tension,
anticipation,
expectation,
anxiety,
insecurity,
expectancy,
apprehension
in the sense of want
Definition
something that is needed, desired, or lacked
The company needs to respond to the wants of our customers.
Synonyms
wish,
will,
need,
demand,
desire,
requirement,
fancy,
yen (informal),
longing,
hunger,
necessity,
appetite,
craving,
yearning,
thirst,
whim,
hankering
in the sense of wish
Definition
something desired or wished for
The decision was made against the wishes of the party leader.