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expectant

ik-SPEK-tunt /ɪkˈspektənt/

adjectiveB2SATTOEFLIELTS

neutralliterary

Having or showing an excited expectation that something good or interesting is about to happen.

Captures the palpable tension and excitement right before an anticipated event.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'expectare', literally meaning 'to look out for.' Picture someone standing at a high window looking out into the distance, eagerly awaiting a arrival.

Word relationships

eager: Eager means keen to act, whereas expectant highlights waiting breathlessly for something to unfold.
anticipatory: Anticipatory is more formal and clinical, while expectant captures vivid human emotion.

indifferent: Indifferent implies complete lack of interest or anticipation.
unmindful: Unmindful means unaware and not expecting anything.

Commonly confused with

expected: Expected means predicted; expectant means filled with eager, hopeful waiting.

Word family

expectantly (adverb): With excited expectation.
expectancy (noun): The state of hoping or expecting something.
expectation (noun): A strong belief that something will happen.

Collocations

expectant mother
expectant silence
expectant crowd
expectant gaze

Idioms & expressions

on the edge of one's seat
with bated breath

Example sentences

"An expectant hush fell over the packed auditorium as the curtain began to rise." Narrative Scene
"The expectant crowd waited outside the embassy, eager for news of the treaty." Journalism

Memory hook

Expectant people are INSPECTING the horizon looking for arrival. Looking out for what comes next.

When not to use

When referring strictly to intellectual predictions without emotional anticipation.

Fun facts

Widely used as an adjective for pregnant women ('expectant mother') since the late 19th century.