expectant Hear it!

expectant Definition

ex·pect·ant (ek spek′tənt, ik-)

adjective

expecting; specif.,
  1. having or showing expectation
  2. waiting, as for the birth of a child or for an inheritance

Etymology: ME < OFr < L expectans, prp. of expectare

noun

a person who expects something

Related Forms:

expectant Synonyms

expectant

modif.

  1. Characterized by anticipation

    expecting, hoping, hopeful, waiting, awaiting, anticipating, anticipative, in expectation, watchful, vigilant, eager, ready, looking forward to, prepared, in suspense, gaping, apprehensive, on tenterhooks*, on edge*, itching*, raring*, wild*, with bated breath*.

    Antonyms indifferent*, nonchalant*, unprepared. *

  2. Anticipating birth

    pregnant, expecting, with child; see pregnant 1.

expectant Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • heaven: All those who are the expectants of heaven, praise him who is the Author of this great salvation.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: I was asked by a very expectant mother to pray that she should have a son.

Modifies a noun

  • mother: The expectant mother may have high stress in a number of cases.
  • mom: We welcome any new or expectant mums in the area to join us.
  • mom: One last tip to consider prior to throwing the party is finding out where an expectant mom is registered.
  • hush: The chattering of the crowd dies down to an expectant hush, only broken by the occasional whistle and the odd yell.
  • father: Charles Kennedy, himself an expectant father, wanted a reduction in the time limit from 24 weeks to 22.
  • crowd: Door to open at 8 but by half past seven the place was besieged by an expectant crowd.

Used with adjective complement

  • come: Come expectant that God will do a new thing in your life!
  • stand: The trees stood strangely expectant, as if they were aware that something quite unique was about to descend upon their world.