YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

imminent

Adjective

IPA /ˈɪmɪnənt/

Understand it. Say it. Use it.

UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

Expected or likely to happen very soon, often with signs that the event is approaching.

SAY IT ALOUD

Pronunciation

imminent/ˈɪmɪnənt/

PICTURE THE IDEA

See the meaning

Follow the idea

Dark clouds gather overhead
Rain is expected very soon

The downpour is imminent when it appears about to begin.

SEE IT IN EVERYDAY ENGLISH

Examples in context

Read the examples aloud. Notice how the word fits the sentence, then think of a situation of your own.

The dark clouds suggested that a heavy downpour was imminent.
An announcement about the new course timetable is imminent.

MAKE IT STICK

Quick word quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the word?

Complete the example using the word from this lesson.

The dark clouds suggested that a heavy downpour was ________.

Show the answer

imminent — Expected or likely to happen very soon, often with signs that the event is approaching.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “imminent” about your own life.

Your sentence (optional)

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

Expected or likely to happen very soon, often with signs that the event is approaching.

Compare: The dark clouds suggested that a heavy downpour was imminent.

Check the spelling and how the word fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.

Word origin

From Latin imminent-, meaning overhanging or approaching, from imminere.

Did you know?

Imminent can describe an arrival, an announcement or a danger expected very soon.

Explore related words

Open a word’s lesson when available, or explore entries that use the related term.

Make the word your own

Say the word aloud and read an example sentence.
Write a new sentence about something familiar to you.
Cover the meaning and try explaining the word in your own words.

Continue with the app’s practice check, then try a sentence of your own to mark this word complete.

Practise this word in the app

Completion and saved words stay in this browser on this device.