imminent

Imminent is an adjective describing something that is about to occur very soon, often with an implication of immediacy or risk. It conveys more urgency than words like “soon” or “upcoming,” signaling that action or response may be required in the near term.

In use, imminent typically appears with events or conditions that are near at hand and carry significance or potential consequences. Examples include an imminent storm, an imminent threat, or an imminent deadline. The term is common in journalism, law, science, and everyday speech when the timing of an event is expected to be extremely close.

Etymology and related forms: Imminent comes from Latin imminēns, the present participle of imminēre, meaning “to hang over, threaten.” The noun form is imminence, and the adverb is imminently. Related terms include impending, which also describes approaching events but can differ in nuance or formality.

Usage notes: Imminent does not guarantee that an event will happen within minutes; rather, it indicates that its occurrence is likely in the near future and may require attention or preparation. In some contexts, speakers distinguish imminent from merely impending to emphasize immediacy or urgency.