Word Adjective
oncoming
adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈɔnˌkəmɪŋ/ UK /ˈɒnkʌmɪŋ/ on·com·ing UK spelling oncomings
Definition
adj.moving toward you or coming closer from the opposite direction.
adj.approaching from the front or moving toward a specific point of observation.
Examples
“The driver slowed down to avoid the oncoming traffic.”
“She shielded her eyes from the glare of oncoming headlights as the truck rounded the corner.”
“The cyclist signaled clearly before turning to ensure that oncoming motorists had sufficient time to react to the change in lane position.”
Usage
Typically used attributively, appearing immediately before the noun it modifies.
Etymology
From Middle English on comynge, oncomynge, oncoomynge; equivalent to on- + coming (noun).
From on- + coming (adjective).
Equivalent to oncome + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
This entry
Origin Middle English on comynge
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated