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.
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).
EXPECT definition: to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of.
See examples of expect used in a sentence.
EXPECT definition: 1.
to think or believe something will happen, or someone will arrive: 2.
normal and what usually..
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Mar 14, 2026 · 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..
To reckon upon, as something to be done, granted, or yielded; desire with confidence or assurance: as, to expect obedience or aid; I shall expect to find that job finished by Saturday; you are expected to be.
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.
Definition of expect verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and 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.
If you tell someone not to expect something, you mean that the thing is unlikely to happen as they have planned or imagined, and they should not hope that it will.
