going

The word “going” means the act of leaving; a departure. In plain terms, either the act of leaving, how conditions are for moving/progressing, or (as an adjective) currently active or available.

“Going” is pronounced GOH-ihng (/ˈɡoʊ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “going” used in a sentence: “Her sudden going left the office in chaos.”

Depending on how it is used, “going” can be a noun and an adjective.

The word “going” comes from Old English. The -ing form of "go," used as a noun and adjective since Old English times.

“Going” is a very common word in modern English.

“Going” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of leaving; a departure.

Both mean the act of leaving, but going is the more everyday, informal word, while departure sounds more formal and is used for scheduled events like flights and trains. Going often appears in the fixed phrase 'comings and goings,' describing people's constant arrivals and departures.

The opposite is coming — arrival rather than departure. The two are almost always paired in the everyday phrase 'comings and goings,' which captures the steady flow of people arriving and leaving a place. On its own, going points specifically to the moment or act of leaving.

It is most common in the phrase 'comings and goings' — 'The neighbours watch all the comings and goings on the street.' You might also meet it in older or literary phrasing like 'his sudden going,' meaning his departure. In both, going names the act of leaving.