# expect

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪkˈspɛkt/ · frequency rank #1,050

## Definitions
1. To predict or believe that something will happen
2. To consider obligatory or required.
3. To consider reasonably due.
4. To be pregnant, to consider a baby due.
5. To wait for; to await.
6. To wait; to stay.

## Etymology
From Latin expectāre, infinitive form of exspectō (“look out for, await, expect”), from ex (“out”) + spectō (“look at”), frequentative of speciō (“see”).

## Easily confused with
- **expel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/expect-vs-expel)
- **expert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/expect-vs-expert)
- **extent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/expect-vs-extent)
- **export** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/expect-vs-export)
- **expend** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/expect-vs-expend)
- **experts** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/expect-vs-experts)
- **expected** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/expect-vs-expected)
- **exec** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/exec-vs-expect)
- **exact** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/exact-vs-expect)
- **elect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/elect-vs-expect)
- **erect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/erect-vs-expect)
- **exert** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/exert-vs-expect)
- **expat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/expat-vs-expect)
- **eject** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/eject-vs-expect)
- **effect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/effect-vs-expect)
- **except** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/except-vs-expect)

## Common misspellings (9)
`epxect`, `exepct`, `expcet`, `expecct`, `expectt`, `expetc`, `exppect`, `exxpect`, `xepect`

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