imminent

Intermediatezipf 3.67

Pronunciation

/ˈɪmɪnənt/(IM-ih-nunt)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

即将发生的；迫在眉睫的

Definition

About to happen very soon, often something threatening.

Word family

  • imminently/ˈɪmɪnəntli/(adv)即将
  • imminence/ˈɪmɪnəns/(n)紧迫

Collocations

  • imminent danger
  • imminent threat
  • imminent arrival
  • imminent collapse

Examples

  1. 1.The building is in imminent danger of collapse. (about to happen)
  2. 2.War seemed imminent as negotiations broke down. (very close)

Synonyms

  • impending/ɪmˈpɛndɪŋ/— hanging over, about to happen
  • forthcoming/ˌfɔːθˈkʌmɪŋ/— coming soon, neutral
  • looming/ˈluːmɪŋ/— approaching threateningly

Etymology

from Latin "imminere" = to overhang — in- (upon) + minere (to project) — projecting over you, about to fall