adj
Uncommon
imminent
IH-mih-nuhnt
Imminent (adj) means About to happen very soon. Example: “Forecasters warned that a storm was imminent.”
adj
1
About to happen very soon.
"The Second World War was reaching fever pitch, with the entire Allied effort in top gear for the imminent invasion of Europe, while later that month buzz bombs would start falling on London."
— Benedict le Vay, The heroes of Soham (2022)
"Forecasters warned that a storm was imminent."
"With the deadline imminent, the whole team stayed late."
"Dark clouds gathered overhead, and we knew heavy rain was imminent."
How to use imminent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishJust about to happen — usually something dramatic or urgent.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with eminent (distinguished) or immanent (existing within something) — all three sound alike but mean very different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
imminent danger
imminent threat
imminent arrival
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more imminent
- Superlative
- most imminent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Forecasters warned that a storm was _____.
Etymology
From Latin imminere, "to overhang" or "threaten" — the same root gives us eminent and mount.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for imminent
See all rhymes for imminent →Frequently asked questions
What does “imminent” mean?
The word “imminent” means about to happen very soon. In plain terms, just about to happen — usually something dramatic or urgent.
How do you pronounce “imminent”?
“Imminent” is pronounced IH-mih-nuhnt (/ˈɪmɪnənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “imminent” in a sentence?
Here is “imminent” used in a sentence: “Forecasters warned that a storm was imminent.”
What part of speech is “imminent”?
“Imminent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “imminent” come from?
The word “imminent” comes from Latin. From Latin imminere, "to overhang" or "threaten" — the same root gives us eminent and mount.
Is “imminent” a common word?
“Imminent” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between imminent and eminent?
Imminent means about to happen very soon, describing timing, while eminent means famous or distinguished, describing a person's reputation or status. The two words sound alike but are unrelated in meaning, and confusing them is a common spelling mistake.
What is the difference between imminent and impending?
Imminent and impending are close synonyms that both describe something about to happen soon, but impending often carries a slightly stronger sense of foreboding or threat, such as "impending doom." Imminent is more neutral and can describe any event, good or bad, that is about to occur.
Can imminent describe something positive, or only bad events?
Imminent can describe any event that is about to happen, not just negative ones, such as an "imminent celebration" or "imminent arrival." However, it is used most frequently in contexts involving danger, risk, or urgency, which is why it often carries a slightly tense connotation.
