Upcoming

Upcoming is an English adjective that describes something expected to happen in the near future. It is commonly used to refer to events, releases, or appearances that have been announced but have not yet occurred.

In media, marketing, and event planning, upcoming is used to identify items in the near term, such as upcoming concerts, upcoming software releases, or upcoming elections. It signals anticipation without providing a precise date, though a date may follow the label when known. The term is often used in schedules, program guides, and promotional materials to indicate items that are forthcoming.

Etymology: The word comes from up plus coming, with the sense of something that is coming up in the near future. It entered standard usage in Modern English to describe forthcoming items. It is primarily used before a noun; predicate use is less common and typically requires a linking verb.

Nuance and usage: Upcoming generally conveys nearness rather than inevitability and is often more casual than synonyms such as forthcoming or imminent. It is favored in calendar- and schedule-oriented contexts and in consumer-facing communications. Some style guides discourage overuse or ambiguity when the timeline is unclear, but when near-term items are indeed scheduled, upcoming is considered precise and neutral.

See also: forthcoming; imminent; impending; release schedule.