Imminent
/ˈɪmɪnənt/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Imminent describes an event or situation that is about to happen very soon. It often carries a sense of urgency or importance because the event is close in time. People use it to warn or prepare for something that is nearly certain to occur.
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See It in Action
About to happen very soon, usually something important or serious
- •The storm is imminent, so everyone should stay indoors.
- •The company announced the imminent release of their new product.
- •They warned of an imminent danger approaching the town.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "imminent" like "soon," but with more urgency—it’s not just soon, it’s almost right now.
- ✓Picture dark clouds gathering quickly before a storm; the rain is imminent because it will start any moment.
- ✓It feels like the nervous excitement or worry you have just before an important test or a big event.
- ✓Sounds like "I’m MIN-ent" → imagine someone saying "I’m in it" because the event is right inside or very near.
- ✓Imagine a movie scene where the countdown is ticking down to a big moment—imminent means that moment is just about here.
- ✓NOT like "future" (can be far away), imminent means very close in time, almost happening.
- ✓NOT like "possible" (may or may not happen), imminent means it will happen very soon for sure.
- ✓NOT like "expected" (waiting for a time), imminent means the event is at the door, ready to begin.
Try Other Words
- •Impending: meaning about to happen soon, often used for something negative (Use when you want a formal word for something bad coming soon)
- •Forthcoming: meaning coming soon or planned (Use when the event is expected and usually neutral or positive)
- •Approaching: meaning getting closer in time or space (Use when focusing on the movement toward an event or time)
Unboxing
- •Prefix "im-" means "in" or "on," showing closeness or presence
- •Root "minent" comes from Latin "minere," meaning "to threaten" or "to project"
- •The word started in the 1600s meaning something hanging over or threatening to happen soon
- •Today, it means any event or situation that will happen very soon, often with importance or urgency
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you felt something imminent? How did you prepare or react?
•How does the feeling of something imminent affect the way people make decisions or act?
Fill in the blanks
1.The dark clouds meant that a storm was imminent, so the hikers ___ to find shelter quickly.
2.When the doctor said the surgery was imminent, the patient ___ nervous but hopeful.
3.Unlike distant plans, imminent events require ___ attention and fast action.
4.The warning system alerted citizens about the imminent ___ of the hurricane.
5.We use words like "imminent" when we want to show that something will happen ___, not later.
6.The manager announced the imminent ___ of the new policy to all employees.
7.When danger is imminent, people often feel a strong need to ___ immediately.