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expectation
/ˌɛkspɛkˈteɪʃən/
belief something will happen
She had high expectations for her new job.
She strongly believed her new job would be very good.
neutral
A strong belief that something will happen in the future.
The company's expectations for growth were optimistic.
The company strongly believed its business would grow.
Parents often have high expectations for their children's education.
Parents frequently believe their children will achieve great academic success.
Can refer to personal beliefs or societal norms about what is reasonable to anticipate.
Business
formal
A standard of performance or behavior that is considered normal or desirable.
The software failed to meet the client's expectations.
The software did not perform as well as the client had hoped.
Common in professional settings to describe desired outcomes.
Collocations
meet expectationsfulfill what was anticipated or requiredexceed expectationsperform better than what was anticipatedset expectationsestablish what is anticipated or required
Pro Tip
Avoiding ambiguity with 'expectation'
Pair 'expectation' with clear context to avoid confusion. For example, 'high expectations' could mean 'high hopes' or 'strict standards' depending on the context.
Gold Rule
Expectation vs. reality
Expectations are assumptions about the future, while reality is what actually happens. This contrast is often used in discussions about unmet goals or surprises.
Word Origin
From Latin *expectatio*, from *expectare* (to look out for), from *ex-* (out) + *spectare* (to look). Entered English in the 14th century via Old French *expectacion*.
Usage Notes
Expectation often implies a degree of confidence or certainty about future events. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts (e.g., 'high expectations' vs. 'low expectations'). In psychology, 'expectation' refers to the anticipation of a particular outcome based on prior experience or learning.
Word Breakdown
ex-
out, from
prefixspect-
look
root-ation
action or result of
suffixEnglish Dictionary