expect

verb transitive

UK /ɪkˈspekt/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	expect
he/she/it	expects
present participle	expecting
past tense	expected
past participle	expected

1
to think that something will happen
We’re expecting good weather at the weekend.
The trial is expected soon.
expect (that):
Investors expect that the rate of inflation will rise.
expect someone/something to do something:
I didn’t really expect you to understand.
We were expecting the letter to arrive by now.
when you least expect it:
An accident can happen at any time, just when you least expect it.
half expect (=think that something might happen):
She half expected him to be angry with her.
as expected (=in the way you expected):
As expected, the party was a great success.
Synonyms and related words
To think that something will happen
expect
count on
plan on
1. 1a
  spokenused in negative sentences to tell someone not to be too hopeful about something because it is unlikely to happen
  Don’t expect me to help you.
  A new hairstyle will improve your appearance, but you can’t expect miracles.
  Synonyms and related words
  Not likely to happen
  unlikely
  doubtful
  remote
2
often progressiveto be waiting for someone or something to arrive
I’m expecting visitors this evening.
Are you expecting a parcel?
expect someone home/back/in:
What time do you expect Sara home?
Synonyms and related words
To delay action, wait or hesitate
delay
wait
hesitate
Synonyms and related words
To think that something will happen
expect
count on
plan on
3
to think that it is right or reasonable that something should happen
Our customers expect good service.
expect to do something:
I expect to get paid on time.
expect someone/something to do something:
It’s not fair to expect me to do all the housework.
expect something of/from someone:
the level of fitness expected of a professional footballer
Synonyms and related words
To think that something will happen
expect
count on
plan on

phrases

be expecting (a baby)

be too much to expect

I expect (so)

it’s (only) to be expected

what do/can you expect?

what/how/when etc do you expect...?

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