Word
imminent
Phoneticsim·mi·nent, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪmənənt/
UK/ˈɪmɪnənt/
Definition
adj. about to happen very soon. You use this to describe something that feels like it is coming at any moment, often something important or scary.
adj. about to occur; impending or fast approaching. Typically used to describe events that are certain to happen in the immediate future, often with a sense of urgency or threat.
Examples
“The dark clouds suggest that a storm is imminent.”
“The government issued a warning because a volcanic eruption appeared imminent after several small earthquakes.”
“Despite the diplomat's optimistic public statements, the sudden movement of troops toward the border suggested that a full-scale invasion was imminent.”
Examples
simple
“The dark clouds suggest that a storm is imminent.”
contextual
“The government issued a warning because a volcanic eruption appeared imminent after several small earthquakes.”
complex
“Despite the diplomat's optimistic public statements, the sudden movement of troops toward the border suggested that a full-scale invasion was imminent.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “imminent” in context.
Adjective
01. danger is imminent
“The alarm sounded to warn residents that danger was imminent.”
noun + verb
02. imminent collapse
“Engineers warned that the bridge was in a state of imminent collapse.”
adj + noun
03. imminent departure
“She spent the final evening packing her bags for her imminent departure to London.”
adj + noun
04. imminent threat
“The government took emergency measures to counter the imminent threat of a cyberattack.”
adj + noun
Noun
05. sense of imminent
“There was a palpable sense of imminent disaster in the air as the storm approached.”
noun + of + noun
Adverb
06. remain imminent
“Despite the peace talks, the threat of a full-scale invasion remained imminent.”
verb + adj
07. seem imminent
“With the dark clouds gathering quickly, a heavy downpour seemed imminent.”
verb + adj
Usage
Typically used as a predicative adjective after a linking verb or as an attributive adjective before a noun.
Pitfall
an eminent danger
an imminent danger
Learners often confuse 'imminent' (about to happen) with 'eminent' (famous or respected).
Confusables
Eminent describes a person of high status; imminent describes an event that is about to occur.
RememberEminent is for Excellence; Imminent is for In Minutes.
Real-World Examples
“Trump’s repeated mention of the idea appears closer to an exercise in political pressure than to the unveiling of an imminent military operation.” “It means the evidence is complex, and the future of the system cannot yet be reduced to a simple story of imminent collapse.” Etymology
From the present participle of Latin imminēre (“to overhang”), from mineō ("to project, overhang"), related to minae (English menace) and mons (English mount). Compare with eminent.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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