expect, hope, look mean to await some occurrence or outcome. expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning. hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence or assurance in the possibility that what one desires or longs for will happen.

EXPECT definition: 1. to think or believe something will happen, or someone will arrive: 2. normal and what usually…. Learn more.

If you expect (or anticipate) something, you are fairly sure that it is coming, though you might not be totally certain. You might expect to graduate from a certificate program on time, barring unforeseen events that prevent you from going to class.

See examples of EXPECT used in a sentence.

To expect is to look forward to the likely occurrence or appearance of someone or something: "We should not expect something for nothing—but we all do and call it Hope" (Edgar W. Howe).

Definition of expect verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. [transitive] to think or believe that something will happen or that somebody will do something. expect something The company is expecting record sales this year. Change often happens when you least expect it.

May 2, 2025 · expect (third-person singular simple present expects, present participle expecting, simple past and past participle expected) I expect to be able to walk again after getting over my broken leg. The hostage is expected to be released later today. I expect it'll rain this weekend, but I …

If you expect something, or expect a person to do something, you believe that it is your right to have that thing, or the person's duty to do it for you.

Expect is a verb that refers to anticipating or looking forward to something happening in the future, either based on previous experiences, beliefs, or logical reasoning. It involves having a reasonable or likely assumption about a specific outcome or result.

I expect (that) she won't like the news. We were half/fully expecting [=we thought there was a reasonable/good chance] that the game would be canceled. Good things sometimes happen when you least expect them.