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Synonyms

offing

American  
[aw-fing, of-ing] / ˈɔ fɪŋ, ˈɒf ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the more distant part of the sea seen from the shore, beyond the anchoring ground.

  2. a position at a distance from shore.

idioms

  1. in the offing,

    1. at a distance but within sight.

    2. in the projected future; likely to happen.

      A wedding is in the offing.
offing British  
/ ˈɒfɪŋ /

noun

  1. the part of the sea that can be seen from the shore

  2. likely to occur soon

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
offing More Idioms  

  1. see in the offing.

Etymology

Origin of offing

First recorded in 1620–30; off + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

OK, a nuclear attack isn’t in the offing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Knowing that an indictment was in the offing, Heppner had consulted Claude for help on a defense strategy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

A sustainably higher multiple could be in the offing if the company can go from a slow-growth auto maker in a competitive and cyclical business to a maker of robots.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

It is not yet clear whether a Trump International Hotel is in the offing.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

“Lord knows, there’s so much in the offing, it’s nice to have a little peace of mind.”

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.