# anticipate

> English word · Verb · IPA /ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/ · frequency rank #10,646

## Definitions
1. To act before (someone), especially to prevent an action.
2. To take up or introduce (something) prematurely.
3. To know of (something) before it happens; to expect.
4. To eagerly wait for (something)

## Etymology
Borrowed from Latin anticipātus, perfect passive participle of anticipō (“to anticipate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ante- (“before”), + capiō (“to take”, cip- when prefixed) + -ō (verb-forming suffix). See capable.

## Common misspellings (14)
`anitcipate`, `annticipate`, `antciipate`, `anticcipate`, `anticiapte`, `anticipaet`, `anticipatte`, `anticippate`, `anticiptae`, `anticpiate`, `antiicpate`, `antticipate`, `atnicipate`, `naticipate`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/anticipate