expectation Definition
ex·pec·ta·tion (ek′spek tā′s̸hən)
noun
- a looking forward to; anticipation
- a looking for as due, proper, or necessary
- a thing looked forward to
- a reason or warrant for looking forward to something; prospect for the future, as of advancement or prosperity
- the probability of the occurrence, duration, etc. of something, esp. as indicated by statistics
Etymology: L expectatio < pp. of expectare: see expect
expectation Related Forms
ex·pecta·tive (ek spek′tə tiv, ik-) adjective
expectation Synonyms
expectation Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- privacy: This is information in which an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
- harm: Threat is the expectation of future harm, for example the fear of losing one's job and income.
- inflation: This theory is based upon adaptive expectations people base their expectations of inflation on past levels of inflation.
Possessives
analyst: SAP, Europe's leading software company, said that sales in the fourth quarter had exceeded analysts ' expectations.
Converse of object
- exceed: I am a self starter; I exceed expectations through quick intelligent thinking & common sense.
- surpass: With its large library and reading room, academic studies, billiard tables and ' refreshment ' , the club soon surpassed all expectations.
- confound: Dreamtime website Few bands confound the stereotyped expectations aroused by the words ' free improvisation ' as thoroughly as Dreamtime.
- fulfill: Therefore it is critical that LSPs are able to fulfill the increasing expectations being placed on them.
- meet: We obviously have to ensure the security of our school students whilst meeting the expectations of adult users.
- fulfill: They work, they're nice and low power, but they haven't been fulfilling expectations.
Adjective modifier
- unrealistic: Setting unrealistic expectations will only result in a lowering of morale.
- realistic: However, it is clear that we need to develop much more realistic expectations.
- reasonable: This is information in which an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
- legitimate: Any change in the balance of taxation is, of course, a blow to legitimate expectations.
- unreasonable: Some people may need disciplining if they continue with selfish or unreasonable expectations.
- adjusted: Each has an evaluated adjusted expectation identical to that seen earlier, in figure 17.
Noun used with modifier
- inflation: If there is a change in inflation expectations in the economy we see a shift in the Phillips Curve.
- salary: To apply for a position please send your CV together with a covering letter or email stating your salary expectations to the person indicated.
- customer: With higher levels of customer expectation comes the need for a higher caliber of agent.
- people's: The report argues that by offering personalized education and health services peopleâs expectations will increase and create a demand-led pressure for reform.
Browse dictionary entries near expectation
- ‹ expectant
- ‹ expectancy
- ‹ expect
- ‹ expatriate
- ‹ expatiate
- ‹ expat
- ‹ expansive
- ‹ expansionism
- ‹ expansionary
- ‹ expansion stage
- expected ›
- expecting ›
- expectorant ›
- expectorate ›
- expediency ›
- expedient ›
- expediential ›
- expedite ›
- Expedited Forwarding ›
- expediter ›

