adj
Common
ongoing
on-GOH-ihng
Ongoing (adj) means Currently happening or still in progress; not yet finished. Example: “The investigation into the fire is still ongoing.”
adj
1
Currently happening or still in progress; not yet finished.
"The investigation into the fire is still ongoing."
"She has an ongoing dispute with her landlord over the deposit."
"The council has an ongoing project to repair the town's old bridges."
How to use ongoing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that is still happening right now, rather than finished or yet to start.
Common pairings
an ongoing investigation
ongoing support
an ongoing process
ongoing negotiations
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Word forms
- Plural
- ongoings
Fill the gap
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The investigation into the fire is still _____.
Etymology
Built from on + going, from the older phrasal verb "go on" (to continue).
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ongoing
See all rhymes for ongoing →Frequently asked questions
What does “ongoing” mean?
The word “ongoing” means currently happening or still in progress; not yet finished. In plain terms, something that is still happening right now, rather than finished or yet to start.
How do you pronounce “ongoing”?
“Ongoing” is pronounced on-GOH-ihng (/ɒnˈɡəʊ.ɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “ongoing” in a sentence?
Here is “ongoing” used in a sentence: “The investigation into the fire is still ongoing.”
What part of speech is “ongoing”?
“Ongoing” is an adjective.
Is “ongoing” a common word?
“Ongoing” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between 'ongoing' and 'continuous'?
Ongoing means something is currently happening and not yet finished, without saying whether it pauses. Continuous means happening without any break or interruption. An ongoing project may stop and start, but a continuous process runs steadily throughout.
Is 'ongoing' written as one word or hyphenated?
'Ongoing' is standard as a single, unhyphenated word in modern English. The hyphenated form 'on-going' is now uncommon and generally treated as outdated.
What is the difference between 'ongoing' and 'current'?
Both describe something happening now, but 'ongoing' emphasises that the matter is still in progress and not yet complete. 'Current' simply means present or up to date, and does not necessarily imply something unfinished that will continue.
Can 'ongoing' come after the noun it describes?
'Ongoing' is normally used before a noun, as in 'an ongoing investigation'. To place the idea after a noun, most writers switch to a phrase like 'still in progress' or 'still going on', since 'the investigation ongoing' sounds awkward.
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