# anticipate

/ænˈtɪsəˌpeɪt/ (US) · /æntˈɪsɪpˌeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/anticipate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to expect and prepare

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to imagine that something will happen and take action to be ready for it.

For teachers: to foresee a future event and take preparatory action. Transitive; often takes a direct object or a 'that' clause.

- The shop owners anticipate a busy weekend, so they have ordered extra stock.
- Economists anticipate that the central bank will raise interest rates in response to the latest inflation data, prompting investors to adjust their portfolios accordingly.

### 2. to look forward to

verb · CEFR B2

to wait for something with excitement or pleasure.

For teachers: to look forward to an event with a degree of pleasure or excitement.

- The children are eagerly anticipating their first trip to the beach.
- Fans have been anticipating the sequel for years, creating a level of hype that the studio is struggling to manage.

### 3. to act before someone else

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to do something before someone else can do it, often to stop them.

For teachers: to act in advance of another to prevent or check their intended action.

- The goalkeeper anticipated the striker's move and blocked the shot.
- By launching their own version of the software early, the company managed to anticipate their competitor's market entry and secure a dominant position.

## Examples

- We anticipate a large crowd at the opening tonight.
- The marketing team tried to anticipate every possible question the journalists might ask during the press conference.
- While economists anticipate a gradual recovery in the housing market, they remain cautious about the potential impact of fluctuating interest rates on consumer spending.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.