noun
offing
O-fihng
Offing (noun) means the near future, especially something expected soon. Chiefly used in the phrase "in the offing". Example: “With layoffs in the offing, morale at the office dropped.”
noun
1
The near future, especially something expected soon. Chiefly used in the phrase "in the offing".
"With layoffs in the offing, morale at the office dropped."
2
The part of the visible sea furthest from the shore.
"A ship appeared in the offing just before dusk."
How to use offing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAlmost always used in "in the offing" — meaning something is likely to happen soon.
Common pairings
in the offing
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Word forms
- Plural
- offings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
With layoffs in the _____, morale at the office dropped.
Etymology
From off plus -ing; originally a nautical term for the distant sea, later extended to mean "on the horizon" in a figurative sense.
Rhymes for offing
See all rhymes for offing →Frequently asked questions
What does “offing” mean?
The word “offing” means the near future, especially something expected soon. Chiefly used in the phrase "in the offing". In plain terms, almost always used in "in the offing" — meaning something is likely to happen soon.
How do you pronounce “offing”?
“Offing” is pronounced O-fihng (/ˈɔfɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “offing” in a sentence?
Here is “offing” used in a sentence: “With layoffs in the offing, morale at the office dropped.”
What part of speech is “offing”?
“Offing” is a noun.
How many meanings does “offing” have?
“Offing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the near future, especially something expected soon. Chiefly used in the phrase "in the offing".
