Ask Difference

Expect vs. Wait — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 24, 2024
Expectation involves anticipation of a specific outcome or event, often based on reasoning or evidence, while waiting is the act of delaying action or pausing until something happens or arrives.
Expect vs. Wait — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Expect and Wait

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Key Differences

Expecting something involves anticipating a particular outcome, event, or response, usually based on previous experiences, evidence, or logical reasoning. It carries a sense of certainty or probability about the future and can be tied to both positive and negative outcomes. On the other hand, waiting is more about the passage of time and involves pausing or delaying action until a certain event occurs or a condition is met, without necessarily having a strong prediction or specific anticipation about the outcome.
When you expect, there's often an underlying belief or confidence about what is to come, which can influence one's emotional state and preparations for the future. For example, expecting a friend to arrive because they confirmed their visit involves a level of trust and anticipation. Whereas waiting is the actual period of time during which actions are paused, like standing at the airport until the friend's flight lands, which doesn't inherently carry assumptions about the flight's punctuality or other specifics.
Expectations can be dashed or exceeded, affecting one's emotional well-being, satisfaction, and future outlook. For instance, expecting high performance on a test can lead to joy if the expectation is exceeded or disappointment if not met. In contrast, waiting is a neutral action; the emotional response is more tied to the outcome of what one is waiting for rather than the act of waiting itself.
Both expecting and waiting are integral to human experience and are often intertwined. For instance, you might wait for a bus (the act of waiting) while expecting it to arrive on schedule (the expectation), showing how these processes can occur simultaneously. However, the key difference lies in the mindset and the certainty associated with the anticipated outcome.
In social and psychological contexts, the impact of expectations is profound, influencing behavior, interactions, and perceptions. High expectations can motivate achievement but also cause pressure and disappointment. Conversely, the act of waiting can test patience and resilience, often being perceived as a passive experience, yet it can also provide a period for reflection, decision-making, and observing one's surroundings.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Anticipation of a specific outcome based on reasoning or evidence
The act of delaying action or pausing until an event occurs

Underlying Basis

Based on evidence, experience, or logic
Time-bound, with less emphasis on the outcome's certainty

Emotional Impact

Can influence satisfaction, disappointment, or joy
Primarily associated with patience or frustration

Temporal Nature

Forward-looking, tied to a belief about the future
Present-focused, enduring the passage of time

Role in Decision Making

Influences preparations and future actions based on expected outcomes
Involves holding off decisions or actions until an event transpires

Compare with Definitions

Expect

To anticipate or look forward to the occurrence of something.
She expects to hear back from the university soon.

Wait

To remain inactive or in a state of repose until something happens.
We'll wait here until the movie starts.

Expect

Can be tied to beliefs or desires.
I expect the best from my students.

Wait

Can be passive or active.
The doctor's patients are waiting in the lobby.

Expect

Affects planning and preparation.
They expect a large audience, so they arranged extra seating.

Wait

Often associated with time.
She waited for three hours at the airport.

Expect

Based on reasoning or likelihood.
Given the dark clouds, we expect it to rain.

Wait

Involves delaying action.
Let's wait to make a decision until we have more information.

Expect

Involves a degree of certainty or confidence.
We expect the train to arrive on time based on the schedule.

Wait

Can test patience or endurance.
Waiting in line for tickets was a test of patience.

Expect

Expect is an extension to the Tcl scripting language written by Don Libes. The program automates interactions with programs that expose a text terminal interface.

Wait

Stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or event
He did not wait for a reply
We're waiting for Allan to get back
Vera did not wait on a Home Office ruling
Ben stood on the street corner waiting to cross
I had to wait my turn to play

Expect

Regard (something) as likely to happen
One might expect that Hollywood would adjust its approach
It's as well to expect the worst
The hearing is expected to last a week

Wait

Used to indicate that one is eagerly impatient to do something or for something to happen
I can't wait to tell Nick what happened

Expect

To look forward to the probable occurrence or appearance of
Expecting a phone call.
Expects rain on Sunday.

Wait

Act as a waiter or waitress, serving food and drink
A local man was employed to wait on them at table
We had to wait tables in the mess hall

Expect

To consider likely or certain
Expect to see them soon. See Usage Note at anticipate.

Wait

A period of waiting
We had a long wait

Expect

To consider reasonable or due
We expect an apology.

Wait

Street singers of Christmas carols.

Expect

To consider obligatory; require
The school expects its pupils to be on time.

Wait

To delay movement or action until the arrival or occurrence of; to await. (Now generally superseded by “wait for”.)

Expect

(Informal) To presume; suppose.

Wait

(intransitive) To delay movement or action until some event or time; to remain neglected or in readiness.
Wait here until your car arrives.

Expect

To be pregnant. Used in progressive tenses
My wife is expecting again.

Wait

To wait tables; to serve customers in a restaurant or other eating establishment.
She used to wait in this joint.

Expect

(ambitransitive) To predict or believe that something will happen
I expect to be able to walk again after getting over my broken leg.
He never expected to be discovered.
We ended up waiting a little longer than we had expected
The doctor said he expected me to make a full recovery.

Wait

To attend on; to accompany; especially, to attend with ceremony or respect.

Expect

To consider obligatory or required.

Wait

(obsolete) To attend as a consequence; to follow upon; to accompany.

Expect

To consider reasonably due.
You are expected to get the task done by the end of next week.

Wait

To defer or postpone (especially a meal).

Expect

(continuous aspect only, of a woman or couple) To be pregnant, to consider a baby due.

Wait

(intransitive) To remain faithful to one’s partner or betrothed during a prolonged period of absence.

Expect

To wait for; to await.

Wait

A delay.
I had a very long wait at the airport security check.

Expect

To wait; to stay.

Wait

An ambush.
They lay in wait for the patrol.

Expect

To wait for; to await.
Let's in, and there expect their coming.

Wait

(computing) wait state

Expect

To look for (mentally); to look forward to, as to something that is believed to be about to happen or come; to have a previous apprehension of, whether of good or evil; to look for with some confidence; to anticipate; - often followed by an infinitive, sometimes by a clause (with, or without, that); as, I expect to receive wages; I expect that the troops will be defeated.
The Somersetshire or yellow regiment . . . was expected to arrive on the following day.

Wait

(obsolete) One who watches; a watchman.

Expect

To wait; to stay.

Wait

Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians.

Expect

Expectation.

Wait

Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical watchmen. [formerly waites, wayghtes.]

Expect

Regard something as probable or likely;
The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow

Wait

(informal) Tells the other speaker to stop talking, typing etc. for a moment.
Wait. Stop talking for a moment while I get my head straight.

Expect

Consider obligatory; request and expect;
We require our secretary to be on time
Aren't we asking too much of these children?
I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons

Wait

To watch; to observe; to take notice.
"But [unless] ye wait well and be privy,I wot right well, I am but dead," quoth she.

Expect

Look forward to the probable occurrence of;
We were expecting a visit from our relatives
She is looking to a promotion
He is waiting to be drafted

Wait

To stay or rest in expectation; to stop or remain stationary till the arrival of some person or event; to rest in patience; to stay; not to depart.
All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
They also serve who only stand and wait.
Haste, my dear father; 't is no time to wait.

Expect

Consider reasonable or due;
I'm expecting a full explanation as to why these files were destroyed

Wait

To stay for; to rest or remain stationary in expectation of; to await; as, to wait orders.
Awed with these words, in camps they still abide,And wait with longing looks their promised guide.

Expect

Be pregnant with;
She is bearing his child
The are expecting another child in January
I am carrying his child

Wait

To attend as a consequence; to follow upon; to accompany; to await.

Expect

Look forward to the birth of a child;
She is expecting in March

Wait

To attend on; to accompany; especially, to attend with ceremony or respect.
He chose a thousand horse, the flower of allHis warlike troops, to wait the funeral.
Remorse and heaviness of heart shall wait thee,And everlasting anguish be thy portion.

Wait

To cause to wait; to defer; to postpone; - said of a meal; as, to wait dinner.

Wait

The act of waiting; a delay; a halt.
There is a wait of three hours at the border Mexican town of El Paso.

Wait

Ambush.

Wait

One who watches; a watchman.

Wait

Hautboys, or oboes, played by town musicians; not used in the singular.

Wait

Musicians who sing or play at night or in the early morning, especially at Christmas time; serenaders; musical watchmen.
Hark! are the waits abroad?
The sound of the waits, rude as may be their minstrelsy, breaks upon the mild watches of a winter night with the effect of perfect harmony.

Wait

Time during which some action is awaited;
Instant replay caused too long a delay
He ordered a hold in the action

Wait

The act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something);
The wait was an ordeal for him

Wait

Stay in one place and anticipate or expect something;
I had to wait on line for an hour to get the tickets

Wait

Wait before acting

Wait

Look forward to the probable occurrence of;
We were expecting a visit from our relatives
She is looking to a promotion
He is waiting to be drafted

Wait

Serve as a waiter in a restaurant;
I'm waiting on tables at Maxim's

Common Curiosities

How do expectations affect behavior?

Expectations can guide behavior by setting standards and influencing how one prepares for future events.

Is expecting always positive?

No, one can expect both positive and negative outcomes, depending on the context and evidence at hand.

Is waiting always passive?

Not necessarily; one can wait actively by engaging in other activities or making preparations.

Can you wait without expecting anything?

Yes, waiting can simply involve biding time without specific anticipation of what is to come.

Do expectations always lead to satisfaction?

No, unmet expectations can lead to disappointment, while exceeded expectations can enhance satisfaction.

How does culture influence expectations and waiting?

Cultural norms and values can shape what individuals expect in various situations and how they perceive and manage the act of waiting.

Can waiting be beneficial?

Yes, waiting can offer time for reflection, assessment, and sometimes lead to better outcomes.

What is the relationship between expectation and reality?

Expectations are preconceived notions about future events, which may or may not align with the eventual reality.

Can expectations be implicit?

Yes, expectations can be both explicit and implicit, influencing behavior and perceptions subconsciously.

How do expectations influence relationships?

In relationships, expectations set standards for behavior and interaction, affecting dynamics and satisfaction.

Is it possible to manage expectations?

Yes, setting realistic expectations and communicating clearly can help manage them effectively.

What role does patience play in waiting?

Patience is a key virtue in waiting, helping individuals cope with delays and uncertainties.

How do professionals manage expectations?

Professionals manage expectations through clear communication, setting realistic goals, and consistent follow-up.

How does technology affect waiting and expectations?

Technology can reduce waiting times and elevate expectations for quick responses and efficiencies.

How can one cope with unmet expectations?

Coping strategies include adjusting expectations, seeking feedback, and focusing on learning and growth opportunities.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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