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expectante

expectant, waiting eagerly

adjective ehks-pehk-TAHN-teh Rare
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Usage Note

Expectante describes a state of tense anticipation, often collective: la multitud expectante (the expectant crowd). It is stronger than esperando and implies excitement or suspense rather than mere waiting. The related noun expectativa (expectation, prospect) is also very common in both singular and plural (estar a la expectativa).

Examples

"El público estaba expectante antes del anuncio."

Natural Translation

The audience was expectant before the announcement.

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