adjective
Uncommon
departing
Departing (adjective) means In the process of leaving. Example: “Departing passengers should proceed to gate 12.”
adjective
1
In the process of leaving.
"Departing passengers should proceed to gate 12."
"The departing CEO gave a short farewell speech to the staff."
"The departing train was already pulling away from the platform."
noun
1
The act of leaving a place, job, or situation.
"Her departing from the company came as a surprise to everyone."
"His sudden departing left the team without a leader."
"The departing of the last guests meant the party was finally over."
How to use departing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLeaving, or about to leave.
Common pairings
departing flight
departing employee
departing guests
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like departing.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- departings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ passengers should proceed to gate 12.
Related words
Rhymes for departing
See all rhymes for departing →Frequently asked questions
What does “departing” mean?
The word “departing” means in the process of leaving. In plain terms, leaving, or about to leave.
How do you use “departing” in a sentence?
Here is “departing” used in a sentence: “Departing passengers should proceed to gate 12.”
What part of speech is “departing”?
Depending on how it is used, “departing” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “departing” a common word?
“Departing” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “departing” have?
“Departing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in the process of leaving.
What is the difference between departing and departed?
Departing describes something currently in the process of leaving, functioning as an adjective for an ongoing action, such as "the departing guests" or "the departing employee." Departed instead describes someone or something that has already left, marking a completed action rather than one in progress.
Can departing be used as a noun?
Yes, departing can function as a noun referring to the act of leaving a place, job, or situation, though "departure" is the more common noun form in modern usage. Both refer to the same underlying action of leaving.
What kind of nouns does departing typically modify?
Departing commonly modifies nouns referring to people who are about to leave a role or place, such as "the departing chairman," "the departing tenants," or "the departing flight." It signals that the person or thing is in the process of leaving rather than having already left.