expectancy

Everyday

1. Expectancy is the feeling that something exciting or important is about to happen. tree →
2. «Life expectancy» is the number of years a person or animal is likely to live, on average. tree →

In the lessons

In geography, science and maths, life expectancy compares how long people live in different countries or times; it has grown thanks to clean water, vaccines and better food. In stories, «an air of expectancy» tells the reader everyone is waiting for something. Common phrases: «life expectancy», «an air of expectancy», «a sense of expectancy», «full of expectancy».

Examples

• Life expectancy in the UK is about eighty years. tree →
• There was an air of expectancy as the curtain rose. tree →
• Long ago, life expectancy was much lower because many babies died young. tree →
• The life expectancy of a pet hamster is about two years. tree →
• The children waited in silent expectancy for the results. tree →
• Clean water has raised life expectancy around the world. tree →
• A dog's life expectancy depends on its breed. tree →

Note

Mostly uncountable; plural «expectancies» is rare. Trap in maths: life expectancy is an average — it does not mean everyone dies at that age. Low life expectancy long ago was mainly because many young children died, not because adults all died at forty.