forthcoming
forth-KUM-ing
/ˌfɔːθˈkʌmɪŋ/
About to happen or appear in the near future.
Often used for scheduled events, publications, or expected information.
The story behind the word. A simple Germanic construction, 'forthcoming' describes something that is 'coming forth' into the world. It has been used since the 14th century to describe both physical arrival and future events.
Word relationships
- imminent: Imminent implies something is about to happen right now, often with urgency; forthcoming is just 'soon.'
- past: Past events have already happened; forthcoming events are yet to come.
Commonly confused with
- upcoming: Upcoming is more informal; forthcoming is more formal and can also mean 'candid' or 'helpful.'
Collocations
- forthcoming elections
- forthcoming attractions
- be forthcoming with
Example sentences
- "The forthcoming book will clarify these points in much greater detail." Publishing
- "The witness was not very forthcoming with information during the trial." Cooperation
Memory hook
Think of a train 'coming forth' from a tunnel. Coming forth soon.
When not to use
Do not use for things that are a surprise; it implies something that is already planned or announced.
Fun facts
- 'Forthcoming' can also describe a person who is open and communicative.
Explore more words
expectant, henceforth, ongoing, forthright, anticipate, heretofore
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.