expectation
This word carries a psychological weight of anticipation, often blending hope with a sense of obligation. It is frequently used in professional or social contracts to define the invisible boundaries of acceptable performance or behavior. When expectations are unmet, the resulting feeling is typically disappointment or frustration, making the word central to discussions of failure and success.
In a social context, it can describe a perceived pressure to conform to a specific role, such as parental or societal expectations. This gives the word a restrictive quality, contrasting with "hope" or "wish," which are more open-ended and lack the implied requirement for a specific outcome.
Countable when referring to a specific requirement or a single predicted outcome (e.g., my expectation was that he would arrive at noon). Uncountable when referring to the general state of anticipating something (e.g., there is a lot of expectation surrounding the new product launch).
Meanings
Examples
There is a general expectation that interest rates will increase soon.
The manager has a high expectation of punctuality from all employees.