expectation

noun

UK /ˌekspekˈteɪʃ(ə)n/

Word Forms

singular	expectation
plural	expectations

1
countable/uncountable the belief that something will happen
expectation of:
The team set off without any expectation of success.
in expectation of:
His associate had given the information in expectation of a reduced penalty.
contrary to/against (all/someone’s) expectations (=although something was not what you expected):
Contrary to her expectations, Caroline found the show very entertaining.
in line with expectations (=the same as people expected):
The rise in inflation is broadly in line with expectations.
Synonyms and related words
Feelings of hope
hope
expectation
vision
2
countable usually plurala belief that something should happen in a particular way, or that someone or something should have particular qualities or behaviour
Mark and Susie went into marriage with very different expectations.
The two teachers have different expectations of their students.
exceed/surpass someone’s expectations (=be better than someone expected):
The success of the product has exceeded all our expectations.
beyond (all) expectations (=much better than expected):
The team has performed beyond all expectations.
have high/low expectations (=expect something to be very good or very bad):
parents with high expectations of their children
come up to/live up to/meet someone’s expectations (=be as good as someone expected):
We had heard so much about the restaurant, but it did not live up to our expectations.
Synonyms and related words
Thoughts, ideas and beliefs
thought
idea
belief

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