arrival
uh-REYE-vl
Arrival (noun) means the act of reaching a place or the moment someone or something gets there. Example: “We waited at the gate for her arrival.”
noun
1
The act of reaching a place or the moment someone or something gets there.
"We waited at the gate for her arrival."
"The train's arrival was delayed by twenty minutes."
"Her arrival at the station was earlier than anyone expected."
2
A person or thing that has just arrived, especially somewhere new.
"The new arrival settled into the office quickly."
"Staff welcomed each new arrival at reception."
"The manager gave the latest arrival a quick tour of the warehouse."
How to use arrival
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting somewhere, or the person/thing that has just got there.
Common pairings
on arrival
safe arrival
new arrival
arrival time
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Word forms
- Plural
- arrivals
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We waited at the gate for her _____.
Etymology
From Old French arrivaille, built from the verb arriver, "to arrive."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for arrival
See all rhymes for arrival →Frequently asked questions
What does “arrival” mean?
The word “arrival” means the act of reaching a place or the moment someone or something gets there. In plain terms, getting somewhere, or the person/thing that has just got there.
How do you pronounce “arrival”?
“Arrival” is pronounced uh-REYE-vl (/əˈɹaɪ.vl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “arrival” in a sentence?
Here is “arrival” used in a sentence: “We waited at the gate for her arrival.”
What is the opposite of “arrival”?
The opposite of “arrival” — its antonyms — are departure, non-arrival and nonarrival.
What part of speech is “arrival”?
“Arrival” is a noun.
Where does the word “arrival” come from?
The word “arrival” comes from Old French. From Old French arrivaille, built from the verb arriver, "to arrive.".
Is “arrival” a common word?
“Arrival” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “arrival” have?
“Arrival” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of reaching a place or the moment someone or something gets there.
What is the difference between arrival and departure?
They are opposites in a journey. Arrival is the act of reaching a place, the moment you get there. Departure is the act of leaving, the moment you set off. At an airport, the arrivals board shows incoming flights while the departures board shows those going out.
What does 'estimated time of arrival' (ETA) mean?
ETA is the predicted time at which a person, vehicle, or delivery is expected to reach its destination. It is a forecast, not a guarantee, and can change with traffic, weather, or delays. The term is common in travel, shipping, and navigation apps, helping people plan around when something will arrive.
Can 'arrival' refer to a person?
Yes. Besides naming the act of arriving, 'arrival' can mean the person or thing that has arrived, as in 'a new arrival at the office.' It is also a warm way to describe a newborn baby, often called 'the latest arrival,' meaning a recent and welcome addition to a family.
What is an example of 'arrival' in a sentence?
You might say, 'Her arrival was delayed by heavy snow,' referring to the moment she was due to reach her destination. Other examples include awaiting the arrival of a parcel, the arrival of spring, or greeting guests on their arrival. Each marks the point of reaching somewhere.
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