Highly anticipated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Highly anticipated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is eagerly awaited or expected, often in the context of events, releases, or announcements. Example: "The highly anticipated movie is set to premiere next month, and fans are counting down the days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Highly anticipated by the fashion crowd.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Highly anticipated new novel from Ketchup Clouds and My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece Annabel Pitcher.

The Guardian

The highly anticipated N.F.C.

The New York Times - Sports

— in their highly anticipated men's final.

The New York Times - Sports

This year's matchup was highly anticipated.

The New York Times - Sports

The highly anticipated Bridget Jones's Baby.

The Guardian - Film

In 1938 came a highly anticipated rematch against Schmeling.

The New York Times

The best-reviewed, most highly anticipated drama of the year?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Twain released the highly anticipated Up! in 2002.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Elon Musk's all-electric-car company Tesla has launched its highly anticipated SUV, the Model X.

The Guardian - Tech

Other highly anticipated dramas, like "Tell Me You Love Me," have proved pallid.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly anticipated" to create excitement and interest in your writing. It is most effective when used before introducing the subject that people are waiting for.

Common error

Avoid using "highly anticipated" for everyday occurrences or minor events. Reserve it for significant events or releases to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly anticipated" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, adding emphasis to the noun it describes. Ludwig AI shows that it is predominantly used to characterize events, releases, or announcements that are eagerly awaited.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highly anticipated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that signifies a considerable level of excitement and expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in news and media, it's used to highlight events or releases that generate significant interest. While alternatives like "eagerly awaited" or "much awaited" exist, "highly anticipated" effectively conveys a strong sense of eagerness and importance, making it a valuable tool for drawing attention to noteworthy subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Eagerly awaited

Emphasizes the enthusiasm and eagerness associated with the wait.

Much awaited

Highlights the length of time people have been waiting.

Long-awaited

Stresses the duration of the anticipation.

Greatly anticipated

Focuses on the intensity of the anticipation.

Widely anticipated

Indicates that anticipation is spread across a large group.

eagerly expected

Replaces "awaited" with a direct synonym of "expected".

keenly awaited

Highlights the strong interest in the event.

anticipated with excitement

Adds explicit reference to the feeling of excitement.

looked forward to

Focuses on positive expectation.

awaited with bated breath

Emphasizes high level of suspense and excitement.

FAQs

How can I use "highly anticipated" in a sentence?

You can use "highly anticipated" to describe an event, product, or announcement that many people are eagerly waiting for. For example, "The "highly anticipated film" is premiering next week."

What are some alternatives to "highly anticipated"?

Some alternatives include "eagerly awaited", "long-awaited", or "much awaited". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "highly anticipate"?

While "anticipate" is a verb, "highly" typically modifies adjectives or adverbs. Therefore, "highly anticipated" is the grammatically correct form, not "highly anticipate".

What makes something "highly anticipated" rather than just "anticipated"?

The addition of "highly" intensifies the sense of expectation. It suggests a greater degree of excitement, widespread interest, and significant buzz surrounding the event or release compared to something that is simply "anticipated".