AnticipationThe feeling of expecting something before it happens. is a noun that usually means looking forward to something or expecting it to happen. It can also mean a predictionA statement about what will happen in the future. or something expected in advance, depending on the contextThe words or situation around an expression that affect meaning..

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /ˌænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/

Easy pronunciation: an-tis-ə-PAY-shən (approximate spelling).

Stress: Primary stress on the fourth syllable, with secondary stress at the start.

Noun meaning the feeling of expecting or looking forward to something.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Anticipation Meaning

the feeling that something is going to happen, especially something you want

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a feeling of expecting or looking forward to something

Example: There was a lot of anticipation before the concert started.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• expectation — A close everyday substitute for the feeling of expecting something.
• expectancy — Works in some contexts, but it is less common in everyday speech.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Anticipation

Meaning 2

the act of saying or working out that something will happen

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the act of predicting or foreseeing something

Example: Her anticipation of the market changes was surprisingly accurate.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• prediction — A good fit when anticipation means a forecast or guess about the future.
• prevision — A formal or technical word for foreseeing something.

Meaning 3

something that is looked for or expected

Part of speech: noun

Definition: something expected or awaited

Example: The results did not match their anticipations.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• expectancy — Can work when the word means an expected outcome or state.
• expectation — Possible in this sense, though often it refers more to the feeling than the thing expected.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Anticipation Synonyms

Similar Meaning

• expectation
• expectancy

the act of predicting or foreseeing something

• prediction
• prevision

something expected or awaited

• expectancy
• expectation

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

• Do not confuse anticipation with the verb anticipate.
• Do not use prediction for the feeling of excitement before an event unless you mean a forecast or guess.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the simple meaning of anticipation?

Anticipation usually means the feeling of looking forward to something or expecting it to happen.

What are common synonyms for anticipation?

Common synonyms include expectation, and in some senses prediction and expectancy.

Can anticipation mean a prediction?

Yes. In some contexts, it refers to the act of predicting or foreseeing something.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-15. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.