Definition of expect

"expect" in the verb sense

1. expect, anticipate

regard something as probable or likely

"The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow"

2. ask, require, expect

consider obligatory request and expect

"We require our secretary to be on time"

"Aren't we asking too much of these children?"

"I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons"

3. expect, look, await, wait

look forward to the probable occurrence of

"We were expecting a visit from our relatives"

"She is looking to a promotion"

"he is waiting to be drafted"

4. expect

consider reasonable or due

"I'm expecting a full explanation as to why these files were destroyed"

5. expect

look forward to the birth of a child

"She is expecting in March"

6. have a bun in the oven, bear, carry, gestate, expect

be pregnant with

"She is bearing his child"

"The are expecting another child in January"

"I am carrying his child"

Source: WordNet® (An amazing lexical database of English)

Princeton University "About WordNet®."
WordNet®. Princeton University. 2010.


View WordNet® License

Quotations for expect

Suffer and expect. [ English Proverb, collected by George Herbert ]

Bear with evil and expect good. [ English Proverb, collected by George Herbert ]

Seek for good, but expect evil. [ Cervantes ]

Do good, if you expect to receive it. [ Proverb ]

Fortune confounds the wise.
And when they least expect it turns the dice. [ Dryden ]

As you do to others, expect others to do to you. [ Proverb ]

If you utter abuse, you must expect to receive it. [ Plaut ]

We expect everything, and are prepared for nothing. [ Madame Swetchine ]

We both expect this privilege, and give it in return. [ Horace ]

It is a great obstacle to happiness to expect too much. [ Fontanelle ]

As you do to others, you may expect another to do to you. [ Laber ]

None should expect to prosper who go out of the way of duty. [ Aughey ]

To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect. [ Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband ]

In order to love mankind, we must not expect too much of them. [ Helvetius ]

You must not expect sweet from a dunghill, nor honour from a clown. [ Proverb ]

We shall never have friends, if we expect to find them without fault. [ Proverb ]

To keep your secret is wisdom; but to expect others to keep it is folly. [ Holmes ]

Expect injuries; for men are weak, and thou thyself doest such too often. [ Jean Paul ]

How can we expect another to keep our secret if we cannot keep it ourselves. [ La Rochefoucauld ]

Can you expect that the mother will teach good morals or others than her own. [ Juv ]

Those who live on vanity must not unreasonably expect to die of mortification. [ Mrs. Ellis ]

How can we expect a harvest of thought who have not had a seed-time of character? [ Thoreau ]

Gratitude is a duty which ought to be paid, but which none have a right to expect. [ Rousseau ]

He that sets his net betimes, may expect a fuller draught than he that fishes later. [ Proverb ]

How can we expect another to keep our secret, when it is more than we can do ourselves. [ La Rochefoucauld ]

A man may as well expect to be well, and at ease without wealth, as happy without virtue. [ Proverb ]

Often turn the stile (correct with care) if you expect to write anything worthy of being read twice. [ Horace ]

We cannot expect the deepest friendship unless we are willing to pay the price, a self-sacrificing love. [ Peloubet ]

Chance is always powerful; let your hook always be cast. In a pool where you least expect it there will be a fish. [ Ovid ]

To expect an author to talk as he writes is ridiculous: or even if he did, you would find fault with him as a pedant. [ Hazlitt ]

Luck affects everything; let your hook always be cast; in the stream where you least expect it, there will be a fish. [ Ovid ]

Venus was the daughter of the waves. She gave birth to Love: we can expect nothing but tempest from a daughter of the sea.

It is in vain to expect any advantage from our profession of the truth, if we be not sincerely just and honest in our actions. [ Rev. Dr. Sharp ]

Let us live like those who expect to die, and then we shall find that we feared death only because we were unacquainted with it. [ William Wake ]

As I know more of mankind, I expect less of them, and am ready now to call a man a good man upon easier terms than I was formerly. [ Dr. Johnson ]

That was a judicious mother who said, I obey my children for the first year of their lives, but ever after I expect them to obey me. [ Beecher ]

He is not a true man of science who does not bring some sympathy to his studies, and expect to learn something by behaviour as well as application. [ Thoreau ]

To give you nothing and to make you expect everything, to dawdle on the threshold of love, while the doors are closed: this is all the science of a coquette. [ De Bernard ]

Simple gratitude, untinctured with love, is all the return an ingenuous mind can bestow for former benefits. Love for love is all the reward we expect or desire. [ Goldsmith ]

We should pray with as much earnestness as those who expect everything from God; we should act with as much energy as those who expect everything from themselves. [ Colton ]

Thou mayest as well expect to grow stronger by always eating, as wiser by always reading. Too much overcharges nature, and turns more into disease than nourishment. [ Fuller ]

In human life there is a constant mutability; and it is unreasonable to expect an exemption from the common fate; life itself decays, and all things are daily changing. [ Plutarch ]

If thou expect death as a friend, prepare to entertain it; if thou expect death as an enemy, prepare to overcome it; death has no advantage, but when it comes a stranger. [ Quarles ]

It is vain for you to expect, it is impudent for you to ask of God forgiveness on your own behalf, if you refuse to exercise this forgiving temper with respect to others. [ Hoadley ]

In human life there is a constant change of fortune; and it is unreasonable to expect an exemption from the common fate. Life itself decays, and all things are daily changing. [ Plutarch ]

There is a kind of physiognomy in the titles of books no less than in the faces of men, by which a skilful observer will as well know what to expect from the one as the other. [ Butler ]

Thou mayst as well expect to grow stronger by always eating, as wiser by always reading. It is thought and digestion which make books serviceable, and give health and vigor to the mind. [ Thomas Fuller ]

Until every good man is brave, we must expect to find many good women timid - too timid even to believe in the correctness of their own best promptings, when these would place them in a minority. [ George Eliot ]

Men are what their mothers made them; you may as well ask a loom which weaves huckaback, wiry it does not make cashmere, as expect poetry from this engineer, or a chemical discovery from that jobber. [ R. W. Emerson ]

There is something captivating in spirit and intrepidity, to which we often yield as to a resistless power; nor can he reasonably expect the confidence of others who too apparently distrusts himself. [ Hazlitt ]

Of all the vices, avarice is the most generally detested; it is the effect of an avidity common to all men; it is because men hate those from whom they can expect nothing. The greedy misers rail at sordid misers. [ Helvetius ]

The wisest of us must, for by far the most part, judge like the simplest; estimate importance by mere magnitude, and expect that which strongly affects our own generation, will strongly affect those that are to follow. [ Carlyle ]

When I take up a book I have read before, I know what to expect; the satisfaction is not lessened by being anticipated. I shake hands with, and look our old tried and valued friend in the face, - compare notes and chat the hour away. [ Hazlitt ]

Love is rarely a hypocrite; but hate - how detect and how guard against it! It lurks where you least expect it; it is created by causes that you can the least foresee; and civilization multiplies its varieties, whilst it favors its disguise. [ Edward Bulwer-Lytton ]

It may be too much to expect that nations should be governed in their relations towards each other by the precepts of Christian morality, but surely it is not too much to ask that they should conform to the code of courtesy and good breeding recognized among gentlemen in the intercourse of social life. [ Geo. S. Hillard ]

Out of the ashes of misanthropy benevolence rises again; we find many virtues where we had imagined all was vice, many acts of disinterested friendship where we had fancied all was calculation and fraud - and so gradually from the two extremes we pass to the proper medium; and, feeling that no human being is wholly good or wholly base, we learn that true knowledge of mankind which induces us to expect little and forgive much. The world cures alike the optimist and the misanthrope. [ Edward Bulwer-Lytton ]

I have very often lamented and hinted my sorrow, in several speculations, that the art of painting is made so little use of to the improvement of manners. When we consider that it places the action of the person represented in the most agreeable aspect imaginable, - that it does not only express the passion or concern as it sits upon him who is drawn, but has under those features the height of the painter's imagination, - what strong images of virtue and humanity might we not expect would be instilled into the mind from the labors of the pencil! [ Steele ]

The man who makes a success of an important venture never waits for the crowd. He strikes out for himself. It takes nerve, it takes a great lot of grit; but the man that succeeds has both. Anyone can fail. The public admires the man who has enough confidence in himself to take a chance. These chances are the main things after all. The man who tries to succeed must expect to be criticised. Nothing important was ever done but the greater number consulted previously doubted the possibility. Success is the accomplishment of that which most people think can't be done. [ C. V. White ]

expect in Scrabble®

The word expect is playable in Scrabble®, no blanks required.

Scrabble® Letter Score: 17

Highest Scoring Scrabble® Plays In The Letters expect:

EXCEPT
(75)
EXPECT
(75)
 

All Scrabble® Plays For The Word expect

EXPECT
(75)
EXPECT
(66)
EXPECT
(60)
EXPECT
(60)
EXPECT
(54)
EXPECT
(54)
EXPECT
(54)
EXPECT
(51)
EXPECT
(51)
EXPECT
(50)
EXPECT
(46)
EXPECT
(40)
EXPECT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXPECT
(36)
EXPECT
(36)
EXPECT
(36)
EXPECT
(36)
EXPECT
(35)
EXPECT
(34)
EXPECT
(34)
EXPECT
(34)
EXPECT
(34)
EXPECT
(34)
EXPECT
(34)
EXPECT
(26)
EXPECT
(26)
EXPECT
(25)
EXPECT
(23)
EXPECT
(23)
EXPECT
(21)
EXPECT
(21)
EXPECT
(20)
EXPECT
(19)
EXPECT
(19)
EXPECT
(18)

The 132 Highest Scoring Scrabble® Plays For Words Using The Letters In expect

EXCEPT
(75)
EXPECT
(75)
EXCEPT
(66)
EXPECT
(66)
EXCEPT
(60)
EXCEPT
(60)
EXPECT
(60)
EXPECT
(60)
EXCEPT
(54)
EXCEPT
(54)
EXPECT
(54)
EXPECT
(54)
EXCEPT
(54)
EXPECT
(54)
EXCEPT
(51)
EXPECT
(51)
EXCEPT
(51)
EXPECT
(51)
EXCEPT
(50)
EXPECT
(50)
EXCEPT
(46)
EXPECT
(46)
EXCEPT
(40)
EXPECT
(40)
EXCEPT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXCEPT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXCEPT
(36)
EXCEPT
(36)
EXPECT
(36)
EXCEPT
(36)
EXPECT
(36)
EXPECT
(36)
EXPECT
(36)
EXCEPT
(36)
EXPECT
(35)
EXCEPT
(35)
EXPECT
(34)
EXCEPT
(34)
EXCEPT
(34)
EXPECT
(34)
EXPECT
(34)
EXCEPT
(34)
EXPECT
(34)
EXPECT
(34)
EXCEPT
(34)
EXPECT
(34)
EXCEPT
(34)
EXCEPT
(34)
EX
(27)
EX
(27)
EXCEPT
(26)
EXCEPT
(26)
EXPECT
(26)
EXPECT
(26)
EXCEPT
(25)
EX
(25)
EXPECT
(25)
EXPECT
(23)
EXCEPT
(23)
EXCEPT
(23)
EXPECT
(23)
EXCEPT
(21)
EXCEPT
(21)
EXPECT
(21)
EXPECT
(21)
EXPECT
(20)
EXCEPT
(20)
EXPECT
(19)
EXCEPT
(19)
EXPECT
(19)
EXCEPT
(19)
EX
(18)
EX
(18)
EXCEPT
(18)
EXPECT
(18)
EX
(17)
CEE
(15)
PET
(15)
CEE
(15)
PET
(15)
CEE
(15)
PET
(15)
PE
(12)
PE
(12)
PET
(11)
CEE
(11)
EX
(11)
PET
(10)
CEE
(10)
EX
(10)
CEE
(10)
PET
(10)
PET
(10)
PE
(10)
CEE
(10)
PET
(9)
TEE
(9)
TEE
(9)
TEE
(9)
CEE
(9)
EX
(9)
CEE
(8)
PET
(8)
PE
(8)
PE
(8)
CEE
(7)
CEE
(7)
PE
(7)
PET
(7)
PET
(7)
TEE
(6)
TEE
(6)
CEE
(6)
PET
(6)
TEE
(6)
PET
(6)
PE
(6)
CEE
(6)
TEE
(5)
PE
(5)
TEE
(5)
PET
(5)
TEE
(5)
TEE
(5)
CEE
(5)
TEE
(4)
PE
(4)
TEE
(4)
TEE
(4)
TEE
(3)

expect in Words With Friends™

The word expect is playable in Words With Friends™, no blanks required.

Words With Friends™ Letter Score: 19

Highest Scoring Words With Friends™ Plays In The Letters expect:

EXPECT
(105)
EXCEPT
(105)
 

All Words With Friends™ Plays For The Word expect

EXPECT
(105)
EXPECT
(87)
EXPECT
(81)
EXPECT
(81)
EXPECT
(76)
EXPECT
(76)
EXPECT
(70)
EXPECT
(69)
EXPECT
(63)
EXPECT
(63)
EXPECT
(63)
EXPECT
(57)
EXPECT
(57)
EXPECT
(54)
EXPECT
(54)
EXPECT
(46)
EXPECT
(46)
EXPECT
(42)
EXPECT
(42)
EXPECT
(40)
EXPECT
(40)
EXPECT
(40)
EXPECT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXPECT
(37)
EXPECT
(37)
EXPECT
(35)
EXPECT
(31)
EXPECT
(29)
EXPECT
(29)
EXPECT
(28)
EXPECT
(28)
EXPECT
(27)
EXPECT
(27)
EXPECT
(27)
EXPECT
(25)
EXPECT
(24)
EXPECT
(24)
EXPECT
(24)
EXPECT
(23)
EXPECT
(23)
EXPECT
(21)
EXPECT
(21)
EXPECT
(21)
EXPECT
(20)
EXPECT
(20)
EXPECT
(20)
EXPECT
(19)

The 167 Highest Scoring Words With Friends™ Plays Using The Letters In expect

EXPECT
(105)
EXCEPT
(105)
EXCEPT
(87)
EXPECT
(87)
EXPECT
(81)
EXCEPT
(81)
EXCEPT
(81)
EXPECT
(81)
EXCEPT
(76)
EXPECT
(76)
EXCEPT
(76)
EXPECT
(76)
EXPECT
(70)
EXCEPT
(70)
EXCEPT
(69)
EXPECT
(69)
EXCEPT
(63)
EXCEPT
(63)
EXPECT
(63)
EXPECT
(63)
EXCEPT
(63)
EXPECT
(63)
EXPECT
(57)
EXPECT
(57)
EXCEPT
(57)
EXCEPT
(57)
EXPECT
(54)
EXPECT
(54)
EXCEPT
(54)
EXCEPT
(54)
EXCEPT
(46)
EXPECT
(46)
EXPECT
(46)
EXCEPT
(46)
EXCEPT
(42)
EXCEPT
(42)
EXPECT
(42)
EXPECT
(42)
EXPECT
(40)
EXCEPT
(40)
EXPECT
(40)
EXPECT
(40)
EXCEPT
(40)
EXCEPT
(40)
EXPECT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXCEPT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXCEPT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXCEPT
(38)
EXCEPT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXCEPT
(38)
EXPECT
(38)
EXCEPT
(38)
EXCEPT
(37)
EXPECT
(37)
EXCEPT
(37)
EXPECT
(37)
EXPECT
(35)
EXCEPT
(35)
EXCEPT
(31)
EXPECT
(31)
EXPECT
(29)
EXPECT
(29)
EXCEPT
(29)
EXCEPT
(29)
EXPECT
(28)
EXCEPT
(28)
EXPECT
(28)
EXCEPT
(28)
EX
(27)
EXCEPT
(27)
EXCEPT
(27)
EX
(27)
EXPECT
(27)
EXPECT
(27)
EXPECT
(27)
EXCEPT
(27)
EX
(25)
EXPECT
(25)
EXCEPT
(25)
EXCEPT
(24)
EXPECT
(24)
EXCEPT
(24)
EXPECT
(24)
EXCEPT
(24)
EXPECT
(24)
EXPECT
(23)
EXPECT
(23)
EXCEPT
(23)
EXCEPT
(23)
EXPECT
(21)
EXPECT
(21)
EXCEPT
(21)
EXCEPT
(21)
EXCEPT
(21)
EXPECT
(21)
EXCEPT
(20)
EXPECT
(20)
EXPECT
(20)
EXCEPT
(20)
EXCEPT
(20)
EXPECT
(20)
EXPECT
(19)
EXCEPT
(19)
EX
(18)
CEE
(18)
PET
(18)
PET
(18)
CEE
(18)
EX
(18)
PET
(18)
CEE
(18)
EX
(17)
PET
(16)
CEE
(16)
PE
(15)
PE
(15)
CEE
(14)
PET
(14)
PE
(13)
CEE
(12)
PET
(12)
PET
(12)
PET
(12)
CEE
(12)
CEE
(12)
PET
(11)
EX
(11)
CEE
(11)
EX
(10)
PE
(10)
CEE
(10)
PE
(10)
PET
(10)
TEE
(9)
TEE
(9)
TEE
(9)
EX
(9)
PE
(9)
PET
(8)
PET
(8)
CEE
(8)
CEE
(8)
CEE
(7)
PET
(7)
PE
(7)
TEE
(7)
CEE
(7)
PET
(7)
TEE
(6)
TEE
(6)
CEE
(6)
TEE
(6)
PE
(6)
PET
(6)
TEE
(5)
TEE
(5)
PE
(5)
TEE
(5)
TEE
(5)
TEE
(4)
TEE
(4)
TEE
(4)
TEE
(3)

Words within the letters of expect

2 letter words in expect (2 words)

3 letter words in expect (3 words)

6 letter words in expect (Anagrams) (2 words)

expect + 1 blank (3 words)

expect + 2 blanks (4 words)

Word Growth involving expect

Shorter words in expect

ex

pe

Longer words containing expect

expectance

expectancies

expectancy

expectant expectantly unexpectantly

expectant expectants

expectant overexpectant

expectant unexpectant unexpectantly

expectation expectational expectationally

expectation expectations overexpectations

expectation expectations underexpectations

expectation overexpectation overexpectations

expectation underexpectation underexpectations

expectative

expected expectedly unexpectedly

expected expectedness unexpectedness

expected longexpected

expected overexpected

expected unexpected unexpectedly

expected unexpected unexpectedness

expecter expecters overexpecters

expecter overexpecter overexpecters

expecting expectingly

expecting expectings

expecting overexpecting

expectorant expectorants

expectorate expectorated

expectorate expectorates

expectorating

expectoration expectorations

expectorative

expectorator expectorators

expects overexpects

overexpect overexpectant

overexpect overexpectation overexpectations

overexpect overexpected

overexpect overexpecter overexpecters

overexpect overexpecting

overexpect overexpects