anticipate
an-TISS-ih-payt
/ænˈtɪsɪpeɪt/
To expect or predict; to act as a forerunner to.
Implies not just expecting something, but also preparing for it or feeling an emotion about it beforehand.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'anticipare', meaning 'to take up beforehand.' It suggests catching an idea or a physical object before it actually arrives.
Word relationships
- expect: Expect is passive; anticipate often involves preparation or emotional response.
- recollect: Recollect is looking back; anticipate is looking forward.
Commonly confused with
- expect: You expect the mail to arrive; you anticipate a party with excitement.
Word family
- anticipation (noun): the action of anticipating something
- anticipatory (adjective): happening in anticipation of something
Collocations
- anticipate needs
- eagerly anticipate
- anticipate problems
Example sentences
- "We anticipate a significant increase in sales during the holiday season." Business
- "A good goalkeeper must anticipate where the striker will kick the ball." Sports
Memory hook
'Anti' (before) + 'cip' (like 'sip' or 'take') = Take it in before it happens. Take it in before it happens.
When not to use
Don't use 'anticipate' if you just mean 'expect' without any preparation or emotional component.
Fun facts
- In music, an 'anticipation' is a note played before the chord to which it belongs.
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