Definition

1. Verb:
   • To regard as probable; expect or predict: To think that something is likely to happen in the future.
   • To act in advance of; deal with ahead of time: To take action before an expected event occurs.
   • To look forward to, especially with pleasure or confidence: To await something eagerly.
   • To use or consider in advance: To use something before the proper or expected time.

Usage and Examples

• To expect or predict:
  • The investors anticipate a rise in the stock market.
  • We anticipate that the meeting will last two hours.
• To act in advance to mitigate or prepare:
  • The team anticipated the problem and created a backup plan.
  • She anticipated my question and had the answer ready.
• To look forward to eagerly:
  • The children are anticipating their summer vacation.
• To use beforehand:
  • He anticipated his inheritance to pay for his education.

Advanced Usage

• "Anticipate" vs. "Expect": While often used interchangeably, "anticipate" can imply a more active mental engagement, such as visualizing or preparing for a future event, whereas "expect" is more about considering something likely.
  • We expect rain. (We think it is probable.)
  • We anticipated the storm by boarding up the windows. (We prepared for it.)
• In a formal or technical context: Used to describe something that precedes or foreshadows a later development.
  • Some critics argue that this artist's work anticipates the modernist movement.

Variants and Related Words

• Anticipation (noun): The act of anticipating or the state of being anticipated.
  • She waited with great anticipation.
• Anticipatory (adjective): Characterized by anticipation.
  • He felt an anticipatory excitement before the trip.
• Anticipated (adjective): Expected or predicted.
  • The anticipated release date is in June.

Synonyms

• Expect: To regard something as likely to happen.
• Foresee: To be aware of beforehand; predict.
• Predict: To declare or indicate in advance.
• Await: To wait for; look forward to.
• Forestall: To act in advance to prevent or hinder.

Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Anticipate" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meaning is typically contained within the single verb.)

Related Idioms

• To anticipate someone's needs/desires: To understand and provide for what someone will want before they ask.
  • A good host anticipates the guests' needs.
• To anticipate trouble/problems: To foresee and prepare for potential difficulties.
  • The project manager anticipated trouble with the supply chain.

Verb

1. be a forerunner of or occur earlier than
   • This composition anticipates Impressionism
2. be excited or anxious about
3. make a prediction about; tell in advance
   • Call the outcome of an election
4. realize beforehand
5. act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
6. regard something as probable or likely
   • The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow