Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
oncoming. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
oncoming, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
oncoming in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
oncoming you have here. The definition of the word
oncoming will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
oncoming, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
on- + coming
Pronunciation
Noun
oncoming (plural oncomings)
- Approach, onset
1923, Powys Mathers, The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Rendered into English from the Literal and Complete French Translation of Dr. J. C. Mardrus, volume IV, London: Routledge, published 2005, page 192:When she saw the oncoming of the armed men, with the King shining at their head, Little-Foot was again thrown into terror and begged her brother to escape while there was yet time […]
1924, D. H. Lawrence, “Jimmy and the Desperate Woman”, in The Complete Short Stories, volume 3, Penguin, published 1977, page 609:Instead, the sound of muffled drums
Inside myself: I have to lean
And listen as my strength succumbs,
To hear what these oncomings mean.
1958, Sylvia Plath, “Whiteness I Remember”, in The Collected Poems, New York: Harper & Row, published 1981, page 103:[…] And
Wouldn't slow for the hauled reins, his name,
Or shouts of walkers: crossroad traffic
Stalling curbside at his oncoming
The world subdued to his run of it.
Translations
Adjective
oncoming (not comparable)
- approaching; coming closer
Look carefully before pulling out into oncoming traffic.
- 1894, Ivan Dexter, Talmud: A Strange Narrative of Central Australia, published in serial form in Port Adelaide News and Lefevre's Peninsula Advertiser (SA), Chapter XIII,
- The attack was made so unexpectedly that Garfield had no time to escape the oncoming spears, three of which struck him in the body.
1960 November, David Morgan, “"Piggyback"—U.S. success story”, in Trains Illustrated, page 684:For example, when trailers containing new automobiles were first piggybacked two areas of potential damage became evident: (1) diesel locomotive exhaust left a film of oil on the new autos; and (2) auto windshields could be scarred or cracked by the metal-tipped "tell-tales" which warn men atop trains of oncoming bridges or tunnels.
1969, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, On Death and Dying, New York: Scribner, published 2003, pages 52–3:A healthier, stronger individual can deal with it better and is less frightened by oncoming death when it is still "miles away" than when it "is right in front of the door," as one of our patients put it so appropriately.
1970, Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye, New York: Vintage, published 2007, page 40:Because it had not taken place immediately, the oncoming fight would lack spontaneity; it would be calculated, uninspired, and deadly.
Translations
Verb
oncoming
- present participle and gerund of oncome
Anagrams