expectancy
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the feeling that something is about to happen, especially something good.
the state of thinking or hoping that something, especially something pleasant, will happen soon.
Simple“There was a sense of expectancy in the crowd as they waited for the singer to appear.”
In context“An air of quiet expectancy filled the courtroom as the jury returned to deliver their final verdict after three days of deliberation.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
the number of years that a person or thing is likely to live or last.
the average period that a person may expect to live, or that an object is expected to remain functional.
Simple“Better healthcare has led to a higher life expectancy in many countries.”
In context“Public health officials noted that life expectancy had plateaued in the region due to rising rates of sedentary lifestyle diseases.”
UsageOften used in the compound 'life expectancy'.
- 03 C1 Advanced
the average value you expect to get from a set of data or a chance.
the predicted value of a variable, calculated as the sum of all possible values each multiplied by the probability of its occurrence.
Simple“The mathematical expectancy of the game shows that the house always wins.”
In context“In statistical theory, the expectancy of a random variable provides a measure of the center of its distribution.”
UsageUsed as a technical synonym for 'expected value' in probability and statistics.
Synonymsexpected valueprobability - 04 C2 Proficiency
a right to own or use something in the future, even if you do not have it yet.
a potential future interest in property or an estate that has not yet vested.
Simple“The heir had a legal expectancy to the family estate once his uncle passed away.”
In context“The court ruled that a mere expectancy of inheritance does not constitute a present property right in divorce settlements.”
Synonyms
Usage life expectancy
“The press-ups check strength and muscular capacity, both of which can give a sense of overall risk of disease, as well as life expectancy.”
“Adding to this is an average Amish life expectancy of 81.2 years, which is a few years longer than the average American life expectancy.”
From expectant + -cy or expect + -ancy.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.