going
12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for going, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of leaving; a departure.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
The act of leaving; a departure.
“Her sudden going left the office in chaos.”
departure
leaving
exit
withdrawal
going away
parting
exodus
release
loss
passing
expiration
sledding
Opposites
2. adj
Currently operating, available, or continuing successfully.
“Is the old photocopier still going, or has it finally broken down?”
Opposites
How to use going
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
tough going
the going rate
a going concern
slow going
Etymology
The -ing form of "go," used as a noun and adjective since Old English times.
Full origin of going →Frequently asked questions
What does “going” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “going”?
“Going” is pronounced GOH-ihng (/ˈɡoʊ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “going” in a sentence?
Here is “going” used in a sentence: “Her sudden going left the office in chaos.”
What part of speech is “going”?
Depending on how it is used, “going” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “going” come from?
The word “going” comes from Old English. The -ing form of "go," used as a noun and adjective since Old English times.
Is “going” a common word?
“Going” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “going” have?
“Going” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of leaving; a departure.
What is the difference between 'going' and '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.
What is the opposite of 'going' as a noun?
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.
What is an example of 'going' used as a noun?
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.
Related words
going to
