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expectation definition

ex·pec·ta·tion (ek′spek tā′s̸hən)

noun

  1. a looking forward to; anticipation
  2. a looking for as due, proper, or necessary
  3. a thing looked forward to
  4. a reason or warrant for looking forward to something; prospect for the future, as of advancement or prosperity
  5. the probability of the occurrence, duration, etc. of something, esp. as indicated by statistics

Etymology: L expectatio < pp. of expectare: see expect

Related Forms:

  • expectative ex·pecta·tive (ek spek′tə tiv, ik-) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

expectation Synonyms

expectation

modif.

hope, belief, prospect; see anticipation 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

expectation Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • privacy: This is information in which an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

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.

Adjective modifier

  • unrealistic: Setting unrealistic expectations will only result in a lowering of morale.

Noun used with modifier

  • inflation: If there is a change in inflation expectations in the economy we see a shift in the Phillips Curve.
expectation usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

expectation quotes

Probably every new and eagerly expected garment ever put on since clothes came in, fell a trifle short of the wearer's expectation.

-Dickens, CharlesJohn Huffam

Beneath the strain of expectation even the little iced sugar cakes upon the tea-table looked green with worry.

-Firbank, (ArthurAnnesley) Ronald

Un grand obstacle au bonheur, c'est de s'attendre a'   un trop grand bonheur. The greatest obstacle to happiness is the expectation of too great a happiness.

-Fontenelle, Bernard le Bovier de

expectation quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"expectation." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/expectation>

APA Style

expectation. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/expectation

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