expected; expecting; expects
1
a
: to consider probable or certain
expect to be forgiven
expect that things will improve
b
: to consider reasonable, due, or necessary
expected hard work from the students
c
: to consider bound in duty or obligated
They expect you to pay your bills.
2
: to anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of
We expect them any minute now.
I'm expecting a phone call.
4
archaic
: await
1
: to be pregnant : await the birth of one's child
—used in progressive tenses
she's expecting next month
2
: to look forward
expectedly
adverb
expectedness
noun
ex·pect·ed·ly
ik-ˈspek-təd-lē 
: in the expected manner : unsurprisingly
The first section, expectedly the largest of the three, has 11 stories of people whose enterprises make profits, but for whom profit is not the only driving force.—
Dharmendra D., Business World, 8 Aug. 2011
Dharmendra D., Business World, 8 Aug. 2011The Los Angeles Convention Center was, expectedly, adorned with large banners for games …—Jeffrey L. Wilson, PC Magazine, 6 June 2011
Jeffrey L. Wilson, PC Magazine, 6 June 2011
expectedness
noun
Don't get me wrong, the movie was as it is rated, for those aged 13, and completely predictable with semi-recognisable faces, but it's that expectedness and silliness that made it an enjoyable, mindless 89 minutes.
—Gulf Weekly, 26 Dec. 2012
Gulf Weekly, 26 Dec. 2012
Examples of expect in a Sentence
Verb
As expected, the election was very close.
It's expected that the new products will be available next month.
Prices are expected to rise.
He's opposed to the new law, as you might expect.
Good things sometimes happen when you least expect them.
I'm expecting a phone call.
The expected delivery date is next month.
He's a teacher who expects hard work from his students.
We expected more from you.
This is not the kind of behavior I expected of you.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
6 July 2026
Don’t expect much early because of a non-conference slate that features trips to Ole Miss and Appalachian State and a visit from a solid Louisiana team.
—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2026
No one expects Moreno to spend like the Dodgers do (and even Walter’s fellow owners want a salary cap in an attempt to stop the Dodgers).
—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
The storm had maximum sustained winds over 180 mph, with winds expected to exceed 150 mph on Rota, according to the National Weather Service.
—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
6 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for expect
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show current usage.
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Verb
The International Air Transport Association last month warned that global airlines could see their profits halved this year due to rising jet fuel costs, which are expected to be about 70% higher year-on-year.
—
Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
6 July 2026
Don’t expect much early because of a non-conference slate that features trips to Ole Miss and Appalachian State and a visit from a solid Louisiana team.
—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2026
No one expects Moreno to spend like the Dodgers do (and even Walter’s fellow owners want a salary cap in an attempt to stop the Dodgers).
—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2026
The storm had maximum sustained winds over 180 mph, with winds expected to exceed 150 mph on Rota, according to the National Weather Service.
—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
6 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for expect
Cite this Entry
“Expect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expect. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
expect
verb
ex·pect
ik-ˈspekt
1
: to believe that something will occur and wait for it to happen
expect rain
expect her home soon
2
: suppose sense 3, think
who do you expect will win?
3
a
: to consider reasonable, due, or necessary
expect an honest day's work
b
: to consider obligated
expected you to pay your debts
Medical Definition
expect
intransitive verb
ex·pect
ik-ˈspekt
: to be pregnant : await the birth of one's child
—used in progressive tenses
she's expecting next month
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