expectation
gb/ˌɛkspɛktˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɛkspɛktˈeɪʃən/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
belief about a future event
The feeling or idea that something will happen in the future.
Usage pattern:
an expectation that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'expectation' with 'hope'; 'expectation' is a belief about what will happen, not just a desire.
Synonyms
anticipation (Often suggests eager or excited waiting for something, while 'expectation' can be neutral.)
Antonyms
surprise (Indicates something happening without prior belief or prediction, opposite to having an expectation.)
Collocations
high expectations
|meet expectations
|live up to expectations
|raise expectations
|public expectations
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The team's victory was beyond everyone's expectations.
- She went into the interview with high expectations.
- There is an expectation that the company will release a new product this year.
- Public expectations for the film were extremely high.
- He failed to meet his parents’ expectations.
Learner examples
- I have an expectation that it will rain tomorrow.
- Her parents have high expectations for her grades.
- The test was easier than my expectations.
- We have an expectation that he will come on time.
Noun
B1
entity
2
standard considered normal or required
The usual way people think something should be done or how good it should be.
Usage pattern:
the expectation of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'expectations' with 'rules'; 'expectations' are about standards, not strict laws.
Synonyms
standard (A more general term for a level of quality; 'expectation' often implies a personal or group belief about what should happen.)
Antonyms
low standard (Implies minimal requirements, opposite to high expectations.)
Collocations
meet expectations
|fall short of expectations
|set expectations
|exceed expectations
Themes
social norms
|work
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The service here meets our expectations.
- Teachers have certain expectations of their students.
- The performance fell short of expectations.
- Management has set clear expectations for all employees.
Learner examples
- My boss has high expectations for my work.
- This hotel meets my expectations.
- The food did not meet my expectations.
- Teachers have big expectations for their students.
Noun
technical
C1
quantity
3
statistical expected value
In math, the average result you would get if you did something many times.
Synonyms
expected value (Exact technical synonym used in mathematics.)
Collocations
mathematical expectation
|expected value
Themes
mathematics
|statistics
|science
|education
Examples
- The expectation of X is calculated by multiplying each value by its probability.
- In probability theory, expectation is a fundamental concept.
- We can compute the expectation to predict average outcomes.
Learner examples
- In math, the expectation is like the average result.
- We can find the expectation by using probabilities.
- The expectation tells us what we may get on average.
Grammar
Dictionary form
expectation
IPA
GB/ˌɛkspɛktˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɛkspɛktˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
ex - pect - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: expectation
- Plural: expectations
Word family
Forms
expectations
noun
Core family
expect
verb A2
expected
adjective
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unexpected
adjective B1
unexpectedly
adverb B1
Expressions
beyond expectations
1/bɪjˈɔnd ˌɛkspɛktˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
better than expected
Much better than people thought it would be.
Examples
- The results were beyond expectations.
- Her kindness was beyond expectations.
fall short of expectations
1/fˈɔl ʃˈɔɹt əv ˌɛkspɛktˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
do worse than expected
To not do as well as people thought you would.
Examples
- The movie fell short of expectations and got poor reviews.
- His performance fell short of expectations.
live up to expectations
1/lˈɪv ˈʌp tə ˌɛkspɛktˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
match what was hoped for
To be as good as people hoped or thought you would be.
Examples
- The young player lived up to expectations in his first game.
- She worked hard to live up to her teacher’s expectations.
meet expectations
1/mˈit ˌɛkspɛktˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
do as well as expected
To do as well as people thought you would.
Examples
- The product met all our expectations.
- He worked hard to meet his parents’ expectations.