Expectancy
/ɪkˈspɛktənsi/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe state of expecting something to happen or the feeling that something exciting or important is about to happen.
/ɪkˈspɛktənsi/
The state of anticipating something to happen.
The expectancy of a promotion filled him with excitement.
💡 Simply: Expectancy is like that feeling you get when you're waiting for something really cool to happen, like your birthday or getting a surprise present. You’re excited and looking forward to it!
👶 For kids: It's the feeling you get when you're waiting for something fun, like when you know it's almost time for playtime!
More Examples
The audience buzzed with expectancy as the curtain rose.
There was an atmosphere of expectancy before the crucial election.
How It's Used
"In Vroom's expectancy theory, expectancy is a crucial factor in motivation."
"There was a palpable expectancy in the air as the results were announced."
The length of time that a person or animal is likely to live.
/ɪkˈspɛktənsi/
The probable life span.
The life expectancy in Japan is one of the highest in the world.
💡 Simply: Life expectancy is like guessing how many years someone will live, based on things like their health and where they live. It's a prediction of their lifespan.
👶 For kids: It's like how long we think a person or an animal will live.
More Examples
Factors such as diet and healthcare affect life expectancy.
Increased access to healthcare contributes to a higher life expectancy.
How It's Used
"Life expectancy in developed countries has increased over the past century."
"The life expectancy of the population is a key indicator of overall health and well-being."
Idioms & expressions
a sense of expectancy
The feeling of anticipating something, typically exciting or positive.
"A sense of expectancy filled the room as the star prepared to perform."
From Middle English *expectaunce*, from Old French *esperance* (hope) and *expectance* (expectation), from Latin *expectare* (to await, look out for).
Used in literature and social contexts since the late 17th century to denote a state of anticipation or anticipation regarding events. The term 'life expectancy' emerged in the 19th century with advancements in statistical analysis and healthcare.
Memory tip
Think of waiting for a package; that feeling of anticipation is expectancy.