noun
Common
returning
rih-TUR-nihng
Returning (noun) means the act of coming back. Example: “Her returning to work so soon surprised everyone.”
noun
1
The act of coming back.
"Her returning to work so soon surprised everyone."
"It was a time of returnings. Soldiers everywhere returned home to try to piece together the broken fragments of shattered lives."
— Michael Phillips, Land of the Brave and the Free (2012)
"The returning of the borrowed books was easy using the drop box outside."
"We celebrated his returning from the long voyage with a big family dinner."
How to use returning
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of coming back to a place or state.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like returning.
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
- returnings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ to work so soon surprised everyone.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for returning
See all rhymes for returning →Frequently asked questions
What does “returning” mean?
The word “returning” means the act of coming back. In plain terms, the act of coming back to a place or state.
How do you pronounce “returning”?
“Returning” is pronounced rih-TUR-nihng (/ɹɪˈtɝnɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “returning” in a sentence?
Here is “returning” used in a sentence: “Her returning to work so soon surprised everyone.”
What part of speech is “returning”?
“Returning” is a noun.
Is “returning” a common word?
“Returning” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does returning mean as a noun?
As a noun, returning names the act of coming back to a place, state, or condition. It captures the movement of arriving again where you once were — the returning of birds in spring, or the returning of calm after a storm. It focuses on the coming-back itself as an event.
What is the difference between returning and return?
They share a meaning but differ in form. Return is the plain noun or verb for coming back, while returning is the -ing form, often stressing the action as it unfolds. 'His return' names the event; 'his returning home each night' emphasises the ongoing act. In practice the two overlap closely.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include returning:
