English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
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adj

imminent

IH-mih-nuhnt
adj
1
About to happen very soon.
"Forecasters warned that a storm was imminent."
"With the deadline imminent, the whole team stayed late."

How to Use Imminent

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishJust about to happen — usually something dramatic or urgent.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with eminent (distinguished) or immanent (existing within something) — all three sound alike but mean very different things.

Easily confused with
eminent immanent
Common pairings
imminent danger imminent threat imminent arrival

Word Forms

more imminent comparative, most imminent superlative

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Forecasters warned that a storm was _____.

Etymology

From Latin imminere, "to overhang" or "threaten" — the same root gives us eminent and mount.

Rhymes for imminent

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial