anticipation
an-TISS-uh-PAY-shun
/ænˌtɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/
A feeling of excitement or anxiety about something that is going to happen.
Refers to the state of mind before an event occurs, combining emotional suspense with mental visualization.
The story behind the word. The Latin verb 'anticipare' literally meant 'to take beforehand'—taking action before an event actually arrived. Over centuries, the meaning shifted from physical preemption to the mental state of feeling or visualizing an impending event before its occurrence.
Word relationships
- expectation: Expectation focuses on believing something will happen, whereas anticipation emphasizes the emotional feeling beforehand.
- suspense: Suspense usually involves uncertainty or fear, while anticipation is often positive or eager.
- indifference: Indifference represents a total lack of concern or feeling about upcoming events.
- dread: Dread involves fear of an impending event rather than eager excitement.
Commonly confused with
- apprehension: Apprehension implies worry or dread about the future, whereas anticipation usually leans toward excited expectation.
Word family
- anticipate (verb): To foresee or look forward to an outcome.
- anticipatory (adjective): Occurring or felt in expectation of something.
Collocations
- eager anticipation
- feverish anticipation
- in anticipation of
- mount in anticipation
Idioms & expressions
- tingle with anticipation
- breathless with anticipation
Example sentences
- "The atmosphere in the grand ballroom was charged with intense anticipation as the clock approached twelve." Literature
- "With quiet anticipation, the townspeople gathered on the snow-covered green." Historical Fiction
Memory hook
Think of anti- (before) taking a sip of juice before the party starts because you can't wait. Taking a sip before the main event.
When not to use
Do not confuse with passive waiting; anticipation implies active expectation or emotional engagement.
Fun facts
- In economics, 'anticipatory buying' describes consumer purchasing driven by expected future price increases.
Related words
Explore more words
anticipate, expectant, suspense, apprehensive, foreboding, trepidation
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