offing

[aw-fing, of-ing]

noun

1. the more distant part of the sea seen from the shore, beyond the anchoring ground.

2. a position at a distance from shore.

offing

/ ˈɒfɪŋ /

noun

1. the part of the sea that can be seen from the shore

2. likely to occur soon

Word History and Origins

Origin of offing¹

First recorded in 1620–30; off + -ing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in the offing,

   1. at a distance but within sight.

   2. in the projected future; likely to happen.

      A wedding is in the offing.

see in the offing.

Example Sentences

One unicorn - a tech start-up valued at more than $1bn - has made its debut on the country's stock markets, and two more are in the offing.

Read more on BBC

Even he seemed to recognize a defeat could be in the offing, saying that he’ll “have to develop a game two plan” and letting it slip that average Americans “might be paying something.”

Read more on Salon

“There’s no stage at which profound public rejection isn’t in the offing,” he says, dryly.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He agreed with Secretary Vance that to oppose it “would be foregoing an option that we could exercise in the event a peaceful solution is not in the offing.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In response to OpenAI's deal spree, there has been some speculation that an AI bubble may be in the offing.

Read more on BBC

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