Anticipated

/ænˈtɪsɪpeɪtɪd/

verb (past participle)IntermediateVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

1

Expected or foreseen beforehand; to look forward to an event that is expected to occur in the future.

/ænˈtɪsɪpeɪtɪd/

verb (past participle)neutralIntermediate
General

Expected or foreseen beforehand

They anticipated criticism from the opposition.

💡 Simply: To think something will happen before it does.

More Examples

2

The holiday was heavily anticipated by the families.

How It's Used

General

"We were well prepared because the event was thoroughly anticipated."

Business

"The company has anticipated a significant increase in sales."

Idioms & expressions

anticipate with bated breath

To look forward to something with great excitement or nervousness, often while waiting expectantly.

"We anticipate the results of the exam with bated breath."

The word 'anticipated' comes from the Latin 'anticipare', which means 'to take before' or 'to forestall'. It was first used in English in the 16th century.

The word has been used in literature and formal writing since the 16th century, often to describe waiting eagerly for something important.

Memory tip

Think of thinking ahead ('anti') and expecting ('cept') something.

Base: anticipate
antipatedaniticipatedantitipated

Usage

45%Spoken
55%Written