Oncoming

/ˈɒnkʌmɪŋ/ adjective

Definition

Approaching or moving toward the observer, especially referring to traffic, weather, or events that are imminent.

Etymology

Compound of 'on' and 'coming', first appearing in English in the 16th century. The word combines the directional preposition with the present participle to create a sense of approach or imminent arrival.

Kelly Says

The word 'oncoming' perfectly captures the human perspective in motion - it's always relative to where we stand, making every approaching car, storm, or deadline 'oncoming' from our viewpoint, highlighting how language reflects our embodied experience of the world.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.