imminent
IM-ih-nunt
/ˈɪmɪnənt/
About to happen; overhanging.
Usually implies that something is very close and often carries a sense of threat or urgency.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'imminere', meaning 'to overhang' or 'to lean towards.' Imagine a cliff edge leaning over you—that is the original sense of 'imminent.'
Word relationships
- impending: Impending usually refers to something large or unpleasant; imminent is just very soon.
- distant: Distant events are far off in time.
Commonly confused with
- eminent: Eminent means famous or respected; imminent means about to happen.
Word family
- imminence (noun): the state or fact of being about to happen
Collocations
- imminent danger
- imminent arrival
- imminent threat
Example sentences
- "The dark clouds suggested that a heavy downpour was imminent." Emergency
- "The announcement of the new policy is imminent, according to sources." Politics
Memory hook
If it's 'imminent', it's 'in a minute.' In a minute = Imminent.
When not to use
Don't confuse with 'eminent' (famous) or 'immanent' (existing within).
Fun facts
- The word was originally used to describe physical objects hanging over someone's head before it became a time-based word.
Related words
Explore more words
foreboding, immanent, apprehensive, dread, against the clock, in the nick of time
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