# expect

/ɪkˈspɛkt/ (US) · /ɛkspˈɛkt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/expect
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to predict or believe

verb · CEFR A2

to think that something will happen in the future.

For teachers: to anticipate or predict the occurrence of a future event based on probability or evidence.

- We expect the weather to be sunny for our picnic tomorrow.
- Economists expect the inflation rate to stabilise by the third quarter, provided that global supply chains remain uninterrupted.

Usage: Often followed by an object and a to-infinitive.

### 2. to require or demand

verb · CEFR B1

to feel that someone should do something because it is their duty or a rule.

For teachers: to consider something as obligatory or required by social, professional, or moral standards.

- The teacher expects all students to arrive on time for the exam.
- The board of directors expects full transparency from the executive team regarding the recent budget discrepancies.

Usage: Commonly used in professional or formal contexts to outline duties.

### 3. to be pregnant

verb · CEFR B1

to be pregnant and waiting for a baby to be born.

For teachers: to be pregnant; used in the progressive form to indicate a child is due.

- They are expecting their first child in early September.
- The couple announced they were expecting twins, much to the delight of their extended family.

Usage: Almost always used in the continuous form ('is expecting').

Teaching tip: This is a polite, slightly softer way to say someone is pregnant.

## Examples

- I expect to see him at the party tonight.
- The meteorologists expect heavy rain throughout the weekend, so most outdoor events have been cancelled.
- Economists expect the market to stabilise by the third quarter, provided that consumer spending remains consistent with current projections.

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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.