Forthcoming: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：about to happen (forthcoming)

forthcoming 🔊

/ˌfɔːrθˈkʌm.ɪŋ/

adj.

Coming soon or about to happen.

Illustration of the word 'forthcoming' showing a smartphone calendar with a highlighted future meeting reminder.

about to happen 🔊

➕

/əˈbaʊt tə ˈhæp.ən/

adj.

Used to describe an event, date, or thing that is scheduled to occur or appear in the near future.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From 'forth' (forward, out) + 'coming' (arriving). Describes something moving forward into presence.

💡 Mnemonic

FORTH + COMING = something coming FORTH (out) soon.

📖 Example

We are all excited about the forthcoming weekend trip to the beach. 🔊 We're all looking forward to the beach trip this weekend.

🔗 Collocations

forthcoming event – an event that is scheduled to take place soon

forthcoming book – a book that is scheduled for publication in the near future

forthcoming announcement – an official statement that is due to be made public soon

🔄 Synonyms

imminent (adj.) – likely to happen very soon, often with a sense of urgency

approaching (adj.) – coming nearer in time or distance

upcoming (adj.) – scheduled to happen or appear soon (common in informal and formal contexts)

🚫 Antonyms

past (adj.) – having happened or existed in a time before the present

previous (adj.) – existing or occurring before in time or order

bygone (adj.) – belonging to an earlier time

🌱 Derivatives

forthcomingness (n.) – the state or quality of being forthcoming (in the sense of being about to happen)

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Old English 'forþcuman' (to come forth, appear). Historically used to describe events or things emerging into view or availability. In modern usage, it's common in business and politics to describe imminent releases or information.