Expectancy: meaning, definitions and examples

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expectancy

[ɪkˈspektənsi ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in psychology

The state of being expected or anticipated.

Synonyms

anticipation, expectation, hope.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expectancy	Use this word when referring to the state of waiting for something to happen, often in a somewhat formal or general sense. It can imply a sense of excitement and is frequently used in contexts involving life duration or statistical predictions. The average life expectancy has increased over the years There was a sense of expectancy in the air as the crowd awaited the announcement
anticipation	This word suits scenarios where there is a feeling of excitement or nervousness about something that is going to happen. It involves looking forward to a specific event or outcome. The children were filled with anticipation the night before Christmas She waited in eager anticipation for the results of her exam
expectation	A word fitting for situations where there is a belief that something will happen or is likely to occur. It can also relate to social norms or standards someone's behavior should meet. Sometimes it carries a neutral or slightly demanding connotation. There is a high expectation for employees to meet their targets He had great expectations for his future career
hope	Use 'hope' when there is a desire for something good to happen in the future. Unlike 'expectation' or 'anticipation,' hope is often used when the outcome is uncertain or desired without assurance. She expressed hope for a better tomorrow I hope everything will go well with your surgery

Examples of usage

There was an air of expectancy in the room as they awaited the results.
She felt a sense of expectancy as she opened the letter.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in demographics

The average time that a person can expect to live, based on their age, health, etc.

Synonyms

life span, longevity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expectancy	Use when referring to a general sense of expectation or anticipation. There was a sense of expectancy in the air before the concert.
life span	Relates to the duration of life for organisms, including humans, animals, and plants. The average life span of a domestic cat is around 15 years.
longevity	Used when emphasizing a long duration of life or service, often implying a positive attribute. Her longevity in the company is a testament to her dedication and hard work.

Word

Description / Examples

expectancy

Use when referring to a general sense of expectation or anticipation.

There was a sense of expectancy in the air before the concert.

life span

Relates to the duration of life for organisms, including humans, animals, and plants.

The average life span of a domestic cat is around 15 years.

longevity

Used when emphasizing a long duration of life or service, often implying a positive attribute.

Her longevity in the company is a testament to her dedication and hard work.

Examples of usage

Life expectancy has increased over the years due to advancements in medicine.
The life expectancy of women in that region is higher than that of men.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

in statistics

The expected number of years of life remaining at a given age, based on a set of age-specific mortality rates.

Synonyms

forecast, projection.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expectancy	Use 'expectancy' when talking about the anticipation or hope for something, often related to duration, such as 'life expectancy'. The average life expectancy in the country has increased over the past decade. There was a sense of expectancy in the air as the concert was about to begin.
projection	Use 'projection' when talking about an estimate or prediction based on current trends or data, often used in business, finance, or planning. The financial projection indicates a steady increase in revenue over the next quarter. The population projection shows significant growth in urban areas over the next decade.
forecast	Use 'forecast' when discussing predictions about future events, especially in a professional context like weather, economy, or business. The weather forecast predicts heavy rain for the weekend. The economists presented a forecast of the economic growth for the next year.

Word

Description / Examples

expectancy

Use 'expectancy' when talking about the anticipation or hope for something, often related to duration, such as 'life expectancy'.

The average life expectancy in the country has increased over the past decade.
There was a sense of expectancy in the air as the concert was about to begin.

projection

Use 'projection' when talking about an estimate or prediction based on current trends or data, often used in business, finance, or planning.

The financial projection indicates a steady increase in revenue over the next quarter.
The population projection shows significant growth in urban areas over the next decade.

forecast

Use 'forecast' when discussing predictions about future events, especially in a professional context like weather, economy, or business.

The weather forecast predicts heavy rain for the weekend.
The economists presented a forecast of the economic growth for the next year.

Examples of usage

The actuarial tables provide life expectancies for different age groups.
The life expectancy of the population has been steadily increasing.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'expectantia,' which means 'waiting for' or 'looking forward to.'
In Middle English, it transformed into 'expectancy' around the late 14th century.
Related words like 'expect' and 'expectation' share the same root, emphasizing a focus on future events.

Psychology

Psychological studies show that high levels of expectancy can significantly influence motivation and performance.
The 'expectancy theory' posits that individuals are motivated to act based on what they believe they will achieve.
Expectancy effects, such as the placebo effect, illustrate how beliefs can influence physical and mental health outcomes.

Literature

In literature, characters often experience anticipation, a form of expectancy, which drives plot progression.
Classic novels like 'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens explore themes of growth and the impact of what characters expect from life.
Poets often use expectancy to evoke emotions, creating a sense of longing, hope, or uncertainty.

Education

Research indicates that student expectancy can shape their learning outcomes, where high expectations from teachers lead to better performance.
The 'expectation effect' shows that if students believe they can succeed, they are more likely to do well academically.
In special education, expectancy plays a crucial role in helping children reach their potential through tailored support.

Cultural Significance

Different cultures can have varying expectations regarding marriage, career, and family life, affecting individual choices and pressures.
In many cultures, the expectancy of future prosperity influences decisions about education and career paths.
Expectancy is also evident in holiday traditions, where the anticipation of events can enhance social bonds and collective enjoyment.

Translations

Translations of the word "expectancy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 expectativa

🇮🇳 अपेक्षा

🇩🇪 Erwartung

🇮🇩 harapan

🇺🇦 очікування

🇵🇱 oczekiwanie

🇯🇵 期待 (きたい)

🇫🇷 attente

🇪🇸 expectativa

🇹🇷 beklenti

🇰🇷 기대

🇸🇦 توقع

🇨🇿 očekávání

🇸🇰 očakávanie

🇨🇳 期望

🇸🇮 pričakovanje

🇮🇸 vænting

🇰🇿 күту

🇬🇪 მოლოდინი

🇦🇿 gözlənti

🇲🇽 expectativa

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,643 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
9640 onward
9641 precluded
9642 dough
9643 expectancy
9644 salvage
9645 infested
9646 heed
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