expect (third-person singular simple present expects, present participle expecting, simple past and past participle expected) I expect to be able to walk again after getting over my broken leg. The hostage is expected to be released later today. I expect it'll rain this weekend, but I hope it won't. EXPECT meaning: 1. to think or believe something will happen, or someone will arrive: 2. normal and what usually…. Learn more. The simple definition of EXPECT is to think that something will probably or certainly happen —often followed by to + verb. To expect is to look forward to the likely occurrence or appearance of someone or something: We should not expect something for nothing—but we all do and call it Hope (Edgar W. Howe). EXPECT definition: 1. to think or believe something will happen, or someone will arrive: 2. normal and what usually…. Learn more. To anticipate or look forward to something happening, often with a degree of certainty. The belief or anticipation that a specific event will happen. How Can You Think About Expect ? Imagine you're waiting for your favorite band to release a new album. You expect it to drop soon because of the buzz you’ve heard and the clues from the band. He wasn't expecting our hospitality. [VERBnoun] I do expect to have some time to myself in the evenings. [VERBto-infinitive] I wasn't expecting you to help. [VERBnoun to-infinitive] Is this a rational thing to expect of your partner, or not? [VERBnoun + of] She realizes now she expected too much of Helen. [Vamount + of] If you expect (or anticipate) something, you are fairly sure that it is coming, though you might not be totally certain. You might expect to graduate from a certificate program on time, barring unforeseen events that prevent you from going to class. expect, hope, look mean to await some occurrence or outcome. expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning. EXPECT definition: to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of. See examples of expect used in a sentence.