EXPECTANT

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does expectant mean? 

• EXPECTANT (adjective)
  The adjective EXPECTANT has 2 senses:

1. marked by eager anticipation

2. in an advanced stage of pregnancy

  Familiarity information: EXPECTANT used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXPECTANT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Marked by eager anticipation

Synonyms:

anticipant; anticipative; expectant

Context example:

an expectant hush

Similar:

hopeful (having or manifesting hope)

Derivation:

expect (regard something as probable or likely)

expect (look forward to the probable occurrence of)

expectancy (an expectation)

Sense 2

Meaning:

In an advanced stage of pregnancy

Synonyms:

big; enceinte; expectant; gravid; great; heavy; large; with child

Context example:

was great with child

Similar:

pregnant (carrying developing offspring within the body or being about to produce new life)

Derivation:

expect (be pregnant with)

expect (look forward to the birth of a child)

 Context examples 

It is a type of expectant management.

(Active surveillance, NCI Dictionary)

The study drew on the experiences of 438 first-time expectant mothers and fathers who were followed up at 4, 14 and 24 months after birth.

(Prenatal parental stress linked to behaviour problems in toddlers, University of Cambridge)

But Holmes was shaking his head, and his face was puzzled and expectant rather than joyous.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

His face became more expectant and tense as he tried to analyze and identify the impression.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Expectant management avoids problems that may be caused by treatments such as radiation or surgery.

(Expectant management, NCI Dictionary)

“I will call again in the evening,” said he to the expectant landlady.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

On the instant those at the table were keyed up and expectant, the servant was smugly pleased, and he was wallowing in mortification.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The thread of the argument had been rudely broken, and the audience was restless and expectant.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He was plainly expectant of a rebuff, and he was just as plainly surprised when her teeth did not flash out at him in anger.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Jane Eyre, who had been an ardent, expectant woman—almost a bride, was a cold, solitary girl again: her life was pale; her prospects were desolate.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)