expectant

expectant — adjective

1. feeling or showing that you believe something enjoyable, interesting, or importa

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

feeling or showing that you believe something enjoyable, interesting, or important is about to happen

Example

Amani's expectant expression brightened as the pizza delivery arrived at the door.

expectant expression + noun describing a face

The whole office sat in expectant silence while the CEO opened the envelope.

expectant silence — collocation for atmosphere

Common collocations
  • expectant silence
  • expectant look
  • expectant expression
  • expectant face
  • expectant crowd
  • expectant pause
Synonyms
  • anticipatory

    more formal; often describes preparations or reactions rather than emotions

  • hopeful

    emphasises desire for a good outcome; can sound less certain than expectant

  • eager

    stronger, more active enthusiasm; implies impatience or keenness

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

expectant + noun

expectant + silence/expression/crowd

Usage Note

Often describes atmosphere (silence, hush, energy) or someone's facial expression (look, grin, face).

Common Mistakes

I am expectant to see you
I am looking forward to seeing you.
'expectant' describes a visible state or atmosphere, not personal feelings toward a specific event. Use 'look forward to' instead.

2. applies to someone who will soon welcome a child into their family — placed befo

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

applies to someone who will soon welcome a child into their family — placed before nouns such as mother, father, or parents

Example

The hospital offers free tours for expectant couples to prepare for the delivery.

expectant couple — both partners

Dr. Aylin recommended a special diet for the expectant mother during her check-up.

expectant mother — most common collocation

Common collocations
  • expectant mother
  • expectant father
  • expectant parents
  • expectant couple
  • expectant women
Synonyms
  • pregnant

    more direct and common in everyday speech; less formal than 'expectant'

  • expecting

    informal; used without a noun after a linking verb ('She's expecting')

Grammar Patterns

expectant + mother/father/parents/couple

Usage Note

More polite and formal than 'pregnant'. Common in medical, workplace, and formal contexts. 'Expectant mother' is the most frequent collocation; 'expectant father' and 'expectant parents' are also standard.

Common Mistakes

She is expectant with twins
She is an expectant mother of twins.
'expectant' is used before the noun, not after a linking verb with 'with'.

expectant — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe a positive orientation toward something that has not yet happened, but they differ in focus and intensity. 'Expectant' is the most neutral of the group: it describes a state of waiting with the belief that something will happen — it can describe a person's expression, a crowd's mood, or an atmosphere ('an expectant silence'). 'Hopeful' emphasises desire for a particular outcome and can carry more uncertainty ('hopeful that the rain would stop'). 'Eager' is more active and energetic, often suggesting impatience or enthusiasm ('eager to begin the hike'). 'Anticipatory' is the most formal and intellectual; it often describes preparations or reactions that show readiness for something known to be coming ('an anticipatory smile'). In everyday conversation, 'eager' and 'hopeful' are more common than 'expectant' or 'anticipatory'. For example, a friend waiting for exam results might be described as 'hopeful' (wishing for a good grade) whereas a crowd at a concert is better described as 'expectant' (knowing the show will start and waiting for it).

expectant ↗hopeful ↗eager ↗anticipatory

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • expectantly

Phrases

  • an expectant hush
  • with an expectant air

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'exspectare' — a combination of 'ex-' (out) and 'spectare' (to look), literally meaning 'to look out for.' The word entered English through Old French in the 1500s, originally carrying the sense of waiting with focused attention. The connection to pregnancy emerged in the 1800s, drawing on the idea of 'expecting' a child.