forthcoming

Definition

Approaching or about to take place.

Etymology

The adjective is derived from forth (“forwards”) + coming (“approaching (adjective)”); or from Middle English forth commyng, *forthcominge, present participle of forth-comen (“to come forth; to appear, issue”), from Old English forþcuman (“to come forth, come forward”) (present participle *forþcumende), from forþ- (“forth; forward”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“before, in front; first”)) + cuman (“to come”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷem- (“to step”)). Compare Dutch voortkomend (“coming forth, originating from (verb)”), German fortkommend (“getting away; progressing (verb)”). The noun is derived from forth (“forwards”) + coming (“arrival”).

Example Sentences

• "I shall vote in the forthcoming election."
• "The visitors began to hold a much higher line, passing and moving with greater urgency, and their reward was forthcoming."
• "Never one to waste an opportunity, he says now: "The low points? You can read about them in my forthcoming book! It's at the printers now."