adjective
Common
incoming
IHN-kuh-mihng
Incoming (adjective) means arriving or about to arrive. Example: “Please keep your seat belt fastened as the incoming train approaches the platform.”
adjective
1
Arriving or about to arrive.
"Please keep your seat belt fastened as the incoming train approaches the platform."
"The harbour staff checked every incoming ship before it docked."
"The airport announced delays for all incoming flights."
2
About to take up a position or role, replacing someone else.
"The outgoing head teacher showed the incoming head around the school."
"Our incoming manager has asked to meet the whole team on Monday."
"The incoming CEO will start next month."
interjection
1
Used as a warning that something, especially a projectile, is approaching.
""Incoming!" she yelled, and everyone ducked behind the wall as the snowball flew past."
"The children cried "Incoming!" whenever a water balloon sailed over the fence."
""Incoming!" someone shouted as the ball flew toward the crowd."
How to use incoming
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishComing in, or about to arrive — for flights, calls, messages, or new office-holders.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
incoming call
incoming flight
incoming president
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Word forms
- Plural
- incomings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please keep your seat belt fastened as the _____ train approaches the platform.
Etymology
Formed from in (adverb) and coming (adjective).
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for incoming
coming
homing
Wyoming
zooming
booming
blooming
grooming
upcoming
oncoming
becoming
welcoming
unbecoming
See all rhymes for incoming →
Frequently asked questions
What does “incoming” mean?
The word “incoming” means arriving or about to arrive. In plain terms, coming in, or about to arrive — for flights, calls, messages, or new office-holders.
How do you pronounce “incoming”?
“Incoming” is pronounced IHN-kuh-mihng (/ˈɪnˌkʌmɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “incoming” in a sentence?
Here is “incoming” used in a sentence: “The airport announced delays for all incoming flights.”
What is the opposite of “incoming”?
The opposite of “incoming” — its antonyms — is outgoing.
What part of speech is “incoming”?
Depending on how it is used, “incoming” can be an adjective and an interjection.
Is “incoming” a common word?
“Incoming” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “incoming” have?
“Incoming” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: arriving or about to arrive.
What is the difference between "incoming" and "outgoing"?
"Incoming" describes something arriving or about to arrive, or a person about to take up a role. "Outgoing" is its opposite, describing something leaving or a person about to leave a position. For example, an incoming president replaces the outgoing one.
What is the difference between "incoming" and "oncoming"?
"Incoming" means arriving or approaching a place, such as an incoming flight or an incoming tide. "Oncoming" specifically describes something moving toward you, most often traffic, as in "oncoming cars." Use "oncoming" for things heading straight at you and "incoming" for things simply arriving.
Why do people shout "Incoming!"?
As an interjection, "incoming" is a warning that something, especially a projectile such as a shell or rocket, is approaching, telling people to take cover. This military usage has also spread into casual speech to warn that anything is heading your way fast.
What nouns commonly follow "incoming"?
"Incoming" often pairs with words like call, email, message, flight, tide, and mail to describe things arriving. In an organizational sense, it also pairs with roles such as incoming president, chair, or student, meaning the person about to start in that position.
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