Expectation: meaning, definitions and examples

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expectation

[ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in psychology

A strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future, often based on evidence or past experience.

Synonyms

anticipation, hope, prediction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expectation	This word is used when someone believes that something will happen and has a fair idea of what it might be. It often implies a level of confidence based on past experience or logical reasoning. She has high expectations for her new job. The teacher set clear expectations for the students.
anticipation	This word describes the feeling of looking forward to something that is going to happen. It often carries a sense of excitement or eagerness. The children waited in anticipation for Christmas morning. There is great anticipation for the upcoming concert.
hope	Hope is used when someone wants something to happen or be true and often embodies a sense of optimism even if there is no guarantee. It is generally positive but can also reflect uncertainty. She hopes to get into her dream college. We all hope for better days ahead.
prediction	This word is used when someone makes an educated guess about what might happen in the future, often based on current information, trends, or patterns. The weather prediction calls for rain tomorrow. Economists are making predictions about the market trends.

Examples of usage

I had high expectations for the new movie after reading the reviews.
She had low expectations for the event, but it turned out to be amazing.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in social situations

The feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen.

Synonyms

anticipation, eagerness, excitement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expectation	This word is repeated and can be referred to the same context as above. The team's high expectation for the season added pressure. Parents often have high expectations for their children's achievements.
anticipation	This word is suitable when referring to a feeling of looking forward to something that you think will happen. The fans were in eager anticipation of the concert. She waited in anticipation for the arrival of her friend.
excitement	Use this when describing a feeling of enthusiasm, often accompanied by joy and nervousness. The children's excitement about the fair was contagious. She couldn't hide her excitement when she received the award.
eagerness	This term fits best when describing a strong desire or enthusiasm for something. His eagerness to learn was evident in his questions. They showed great eagerness to start the project.

Examples of usage

The team had great expectations for the upcoming match.
The expectation of seeing her again made him smile.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

in relationships

The belief that someone should behave in a particular way or achieve a particular goal.

Synonyms

demand, requirement, standard.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
expectation	Expectation is used when describing what you think will happen in the future based on past experiences, beliefs, or desires. It is often neutral or positive. Her expectation was that the meeting would end by noon. Society's expectations can influence an individual's behavior.
demand	Demand is used when someone insists on something or requires it urgently. It typically has a strong, sometimes aggressive or negative tone. The workers are making new demands for higher wages. There was a great demand for the new product.
requirement	Requirement is used to express something that is necessary or obligatory, often in formal or official contexts. A valid passport is a requirement for international travel. Meeting these requirements is essential to pass the course.
standard	Standard is used when referring to a level of quality or performance that is accepted as norm or expectation. It is often associated with measurements, guidelines, or goals. The restaurant's food quality exceeds industry standards. Maintaining high standards in education is important.

Examples of usage

He had high expectations for his partner, which put a strain on their relationship.
She felt pressure from the expectations of her parents.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Expectations can shape how we feel about experiences. If you expect something to be fun, you’re more likely to enjoy it.
People often have positive or negative expectations based on prior experiences, which can influence their future choices.
Studies show that high expectations from teachers can lead to better performance from students, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Philosophy

Philosophers have long debated the nature of expectation, questioning how it affects our understanding of reality and influences our actions.
The concept is often linked to the idea of hope, suggesting that having expectations can lead to disappointment if outcomes differ from what was anticipated.

Economics

In economics, consumer expectations can drive market trends, influencing how people spend their money based on anticipated future events.
Businesses release forecasts to manage expectations, guiding consumers on when to buy or invest based on expected outcomes.

Cultural Context

Different cultures have various expectations regarding relationships, work, and social behaviors, which can lead to misunderstandings between people from different backgrounds.
In some cultures, having high expectations is seen as motivation, while in others, it may be viewed as pressure or anxiety.

Literature

In storytelling, characters' expectations can drive plots forward, leading to suspense when they face unexpected outcomes.
The theme of expectations versus reality is common in literature, often highlighting how characters overcome or fail to meet societal pressures.

Translations

Translations of the word "expectation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 expectativa

esperança
ânsia

🇮🇳 अपेक्षा

उम्मीद
आशा

🇩🇪 Erwartung

Hoffnung
Erwartungshaltung

🇮🇩 harapan

🇺🇦 очікування

надія
сподівання

🇵🇱 oczekiwanie

🇯🇵 期待 (きたい)

🇫🇷 attente

espoir
espérance

🇪🇸 expectativa

🇹🇷 beklenti

umut
beklenti duygusu

🇰🇷 기대

🇸🇦 توقع

🇨🇿 očekávání

🇸🇰 očakávanie

🇨🇳 期望 (qīwàng)

🇸🇮 pričakovanje

🇮🇸 vænting

🇰🇿 күту

🇬🇪 მოლოდინი

🇦🇿 gözləmə

🇲🇽 expectativa

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,695, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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4692 beef
4693 compression
4694 resting
4695 expectation
4696 differently
4697 renal
4698 movie
...