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expectable

A2
Rare

Pronunciation

UK

    US

      Meanings

      Adjective

      1. able to be expected or anticipated

      Beyond the definition

      Something expectable is not surprising. It is something you could reasonably see coming. Think of the changing seasons: snow in winter is expectable in many places. Or think of a tired child having a tantrum; that may be expectable too. The word points to what is normal, likely, or easy to predict from the situation. It does not mean you want it to happen. It only means that, given the circumstances, it makes sense to expect it. Still, this word is not very common in everyday English, and many people would simply say expected or predictable instead.

      Examples

      1. 1

        Learning process

        A few mistakes are expectable when someone is learning a new system.

        • Usage

          expectable is formal; expected or to be expected is more common in everyday English

      2. 2

        Market reaction

        After such a sharp price increase, a drop in demand was expectable.

      3. 3

        Child development

        In children of that age, short attention spans are considered expectable.

      See also

      Similar

      Shades of meaning

      Contrast

      Used with (collocations)

      • expectable result
      • expectable outcome
      • expectable consequence
      • reasonably expectable

      Word family

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      Forms and spellings

      1 form open this card.

      Main spelling

      • expectableadjective