Word
expectant
Phoneticsex·pec·tant, stress on the second syllable
US/ɪkˈspɛktənt/
UK/ɛkspˈɛktənt/
Definition
adj. waiting for something to happen, especially a baby. It describes a person who is pregnant or a situation where you are waiting for a specific result.
adj. waiting for a specific event or outcome; in a medical context, refers to a pregnant woman or the state of pregnancy.
Examples
“The expectant mother waited for the doctor's arrival.”
“The expectant parents gathered in the waiting room, hoping to hear the news of their child's health.”
“The expectant atmosphere in the delivery room was palpable as the medical team prepared for the imminent arrival of the newborn.”
Examples
simple
“The expectant mother waited for the doctor's arrival.”
contextual
“The expectant parents gathered in the waiting room, hoping to hear the news of their child's health.”
complex
“The expectant atmosphere in the delivery room was palpable as the medical team prepared for the imminent arrival of the newborn.”
Real-World Examples
“In an alert, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA , highlighted urgent needs among expectant mothers in Golo, in western Sudan’s Central Darfur region.” “Whenever I heard that, my heart just dropped."
'Opportunity to reform NI's maternity services missed'
She described sitting alongside expectant parents and families before receiving difficult news about her fertility.” Etymology
From Old French expectant, from Latin expectans.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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