anticipate

Definitions

ante- (before) + cip (a worn-down form of capere, 'take') + -ate (verb). To anticipate is literally to 'take beforehand' — you grab hold of a future event in your mind before it arrives. Note the spelling: the 'anti-' here is ante- (before), NOT the anti- that means 'against.'

Why It Means This

The image is grabbing something before it gets to you. If you anticipate a problem, you've mentally 'taken hold' of it ahead of time and can prepare. This explains both senses: expecting (taking the event in your mind early) and pre-empting (acting before it happens).

Common Collocations

• 1.anticipate problems预料问题
• 2.anticipate delays预料延迟
• 3.anticipate demand预测需求
• 4.eagerly anticipate热切期待

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Forecasters anticipate heavy rain across the region this weekend.

• 2.

  A good waiter anticipates what guests need before they ask.

• 3.

  The company failed to anticipate how quickly the market would change.

Easily Confused

anticipate vs expect — both mean 'think something will happen,' but anticipate adds the idea of preparing or acting on it, while expect is just believing it will occur. You expect a guest; you anticipate their needs (and get ready).

Synonym Comparison