expectant
expectant — adjective
1. feeling or showing that you believe something enjoyable, interesting, or importa
feeling or showing that you believe something enjoyable, interesting, or important is about to happen
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
There was an expectant energy in the stadium before the final match kicked off.
Gabriel looked at his sister with an expectant grin, waiting for her news.
The crowd grew quiet and expectant as the speaker walked onto the stage.
- 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
- indifferent
no interest or expectation at all
- uninterested
not caring what happens next
文法句型
expectant + noun
expectant + silence/expression/crowd
用法筆記
Often describes atmosphere (silence, hush, energy) or someone's facial expression (look, grin, face).
常見錯誤
2. applies to someone who will soon welcome a child into their family — placed befo
applies to someone who will soon welcome a child into their family — placed before nouns such as mother, father, or parents
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
Maeve and her husband attended an expectant parents' workshop on infant care.
Many expectant fathers take time off work to go with their partners to classes.
The clinic offers evening appointments so expectant women can visit after work.
文法句型
expectant + mother/father/parents/couple
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
expectant — noun
1. a person who is waiting hopefully for something to happen, especially an event o
a person who is waiting hopefully for something to happen, especially an event or piece of news
A small group of expectants gathered at the gate hours before the doors opened.
expectants as plural noun — formal register
The expectants in the courtroom watched the judge with anxious hope.
A line of expectants stretched down the street outside the ticket office at dawn.
The expectants pressed forward when the gates finally slid open.
Outside the hospital, a few expectants held signs of encouragement for the family inside.
文法句型
the expectants
expectants + verb
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural. Rare in modern everyday speech; appears more in literary or journalistic writing to describe a group of people waiting for the same thing.